The Stateless exhibition brings together the work of four artists who reflect on the recent refugee crisis and issues of human displacement and migration.
The Stateless exhibition brings together the work of four artists who reflect on the recent refugee crisis and issues of human displacement and migration. It runs through January 29, 2017, at the University Art Gallery, CVPA Star Store Building, 715 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA.
Inspiring reflection on the struggles of displacement
The Syrian conflict and the subsequent European refugee crisis have dominated not only the news headlines, but also discussions among artists and intellectuals around the world. Due to the significance of these recent events, the College of Visual and Performing Arts has dedicated an exhibition to the topic of migration. Stateless will bring together the works of four artists who reflect on the current refugee crisis in the Middle East.
In its entirety, the exhibition hopes to inspire the viewer to reflect on the struggles endured in the displacement of migrants.
Through a series of astonishing staged photographs in the remote deserts of the Middle East, Tehran-based photographer Gohar Dashti envisions the plight of homelessness for the millions of people who have recently fled such war zones.
Known for his ironic and surreal trompe l'oeil murals in Tehran, through a series of intricate prints, artist Mehdi Ghadyanloo displays the difficulties of displacement by portraying crowds of people trapped in uncertain situations.
Meanwhile, California-based artist Pantea Karimi showcases a multi-media installation of abstracted medieval maps of major Middle Eastern ports, alluding to a glorious bygone era during which migration of people from and to the Middle East contributed to the advancement of knowledge and commerce.
Lastly, through a series of threads interrupted by objects and images, which capture the precarious lives of stateless people, the Southcoast-based Site-specific installation artist Jodi Stevens follows the grim patterns of migration from the Middle East to Europe.
Curated by Dr. Pamela Karimi with assistance from students in her Islamic Art class.
Special thanks to Robert Klein Gallery in Boston and Howard Griffin Gallery in London.