2021 Prompt

“Art invites us to take the journey beyond price, beyond costs into bearing witness to the world as it is and as it should be. Art invites us to know beauty and to solicit it from even the most tragic of circumstances. Art reminds us that we belong here.”

Toni Morrison

Reflection

The past year has seen a multitude of upheavals throughout the world and in the United States. COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the U.S. and disproportionately impact BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) communities. In the effort to combat the spread of COVID-19, Oregon’s most vulnerable people do not receive any consistent or effective support from governmental agencies or governmental resources. Systems of power fail to provide basic necessities such as running water, shelter, quality healthcare, etc. to those most disadvantaged by oppressive systems.

Oregon’s wildfire season, worsened by the climate crisis, deeply scarred the land, displaced thousands of people throughout the state, endangered farm workers, and showed us just how much privilege determines survival, even in emergency situations.

The Black Lives Matter movement advocates for the basic rights to life, dignity, safety and healthcare. The movement protests the extreme violence against BIPOC people that has been, and continues to be, enacted by racist people who are further empowered by systemically racist and oppressive policing systems. Oregon is now recognized by the federal government as a place of disruption and unrest, which has only been worsened by both the action and inaction from local and federal administrations.

During the pandemic, environmental crises, and protests, visual art is an integral part of communication, memorialization and catalyzation. As members of a world, nation, state, and community, we are called to pursue integrity and equality at a time when those we look to as leaders speak, act, create policies, and prioritize spending in ways that inhibit the pursuit of truth and justice. We find ourselves living in a time when systems of power widen disparities of all kinds, and the individuals in power can freely voice overtly racist, sexist, classist, and oppressive opinions. All the while, speaking out against these wrongs dramatically increases the risk of harm, ostracization, and death.

These circumstances and events can be overwhelming, and the challenges at times may seem insurmountable. We all, however, can listen, learn, speak, and act in ways that strive for a better and safe world.

Prompt

Art is a powerful form of activism that can reach beyond social and cultural boundaries. Create a piece that uplifts and claims your experiences and understanding of the events of the past year.

Please create a piece of visual art that embodies your hopes, experiences, and goals in response to the provided reflection and prompt. An artist’s statement of up to 400 words may be included to give your piece context if you so wish. We recognize that equity disparities may impact your ability to interact with the creative process and to generate a piece of art. Our intention is to examine submissions from a place of understanding and openness. Meaning, the intention and the emotion of the piece will be determinants, rather than expense of materials used in making it.