Art & Social Justice Education part 1
19 07 2012
I’ve just finished reading Art & Social Justice Education: Culture as Commons, edited by Therese Quinn, John Ploof & Lisa Hochtritt (site). The books premise is that art can contribute in a wide range of ways to the work of envisioning and creating a more just world. It’s an expensive purchase, but has some interesting ideas and links to contemporary artists. The book has 3 major themes:
- The Commons: shared access to creative practice and art
- Our Cultures: nurturing the ways we have developed to live in a community
- Towards Futures: imagining & acting to change our world
- What does it mean to be a citizen in a world shaped and molded by consumerism?
- What are the boundaries between art and consumerism?
5. Paula Nicho Cumez‘s ‘work addresses immigration rights, the breaking up of beloved families and what it must feel like to be forced to leave that which you love, all that you know and your home.’ Her work involves Maya Kaqchikel culture, an indigenous community in Guatemala.
6. Rafael Trelles uses reverse stencils instead of spray-paint. He creates his images by cleaning.
Do check out some of these artists. Soon I’ll post part 2 on recognising and representing our cultures.
