With the 2024 election approaching and political conversations heating up among students, many look for ways to engage in meaningful conversations, broaden their perspectives, and express their political views. On Sept. 12, an art exhibition titled “The Art of Democracy: Whose Choice?” will be unveiled in the Louis L. Manderino Library at PennWest California. The exhibition is part of a three-part series located across Western PA that centers around contemporary political issues, including reproductive freedom, the impact of gun violence, and the role of artists in uniting the community to spark change.
The exhibition at the Manderino Library will focus on the issue of reproductive freedom and surrounding conversations. It will feature artwork designed to advocate for reproductive freedom and highlight the issue of women’s healthcare.
“The Art of Democracy: Whose Choice?” is the product of a collaboration between Casey Droege Cultural Productions and Keystone Progress Education Fund. Curated by Michaela Blanc, the exhibition will also be featured in another iteration at Seton Hill University in Greensburg.
The exhibition will feature a variety of artists, each presenting original pieces to express their views and perspectives on the significance of reproductive freedom.
Lena Chen is an artist specializing in socially engaged and performance artwork. As a Chinese American artist and mother, Chen expressed that her role in this art exhibition has personal meaning. Chen expressed that she worked on her projects throughout her pregnancy and the birth of her first child. She delivered her second child last week, while the PennWest exhibition was being installed.
“I am extremely grateful I was able to have a safe birth with low intervention and under the conditions I wanted, but my experience is unfortunately not the norm in America,” she said.
Chen created two sister artworks “We Lived In The Gaps Between The Stories” (2021) and “Full Circle” (2022), consisting of wreaths made from plants associated with abortion, birth, and fertility. “Full Circle” will be shown at the PennWest Exhibition. Chen conveyed her hope that her artwork will spark conversations and touch students at PennWest.
Today, the struggle for reproductive autonomy in the United States is more urgent than ever, especially for the most marginalized communities who face higher rates of maternal and infant mortality,” said Chen. “I hope to raise questions about how gender, race, and labor are intertwined while celebrating the reproductive health workers devoted to serving women and birthing people.”
Among other artists that will be showcased at the exhibition is Ashley Cecil, a visual artist specializing in paintings and mixed media works. Cecil’s contribution to this exhibition is a mixed media collage titled “Healthcare (2).”
“I made it, and a companion piece, soon after the US Supreme Court reversed Roe v Wade,” Cecil said. “The piece began with two block printed patterns—one of coat hangers and the other of G.I. Joe toys. While both of these objects convey a cold rigidness, they’re nestled between beautiful orchids and the entire color palette of the piece is hyperfeminine in the traditional sense.”
Cecil expressed her hope that her art will resonate with students at PennWest, as well as broaden perspectives and spark reflection within some.
“When I was a college student, I was just starting a life independent of my family’s relatively conservative view on family planning,” said Cecil. “I hope this work and this exhibition are jarring and spark reflection on what we’ve already lost and what’s at stake in this upcoming election.”
“The Art of Democracy: Whose Choice?” will be on display from Sept. 12 until Oct. 13.
