We Will Not Be Silenced
Once news hit of last year’s election results, it seemed as though the world went into a state of panic, stress and anger. Since then, theatre venues have changed board members, ICE has been given free reign and censorship has come to huge media networks. But in this uncertain environment, many do not sit still. These are the times when artists express themselves the most. Galatea Fine Art, a co-operative gallery in Boston’s SoWa Arts and Design district, is working to support free expression with a collaborative project called, “Liberty & Justice for All: Artists Act to Protect Freedom of Expression.” The exhibition will be on view from November 5 through 30.
The project comes at a time when the country is in turmoil, with many fearing that the country is moving toward authoritarianism. Historically, art has played an important role in resistance through many great works that have spoken truth to power. Recently, there has been an upsurge in demonstrations and creative posters, along with internet memes. These have become important vehicles of dissent here in the United States.
The idea for the collaborative project came to gallery member Yvonne Lamothe when the Kennedy Center was to become the Trump Center. “Every regime wants a story it can control. Around the world, authoritarian governments have learned that controlling art is a shortcut to controlling perception. Art, in its truest form, refuses that,” Lamothe said.