OUR ARTISTS
Path to Paradise
Path to Paradise by Bria Shelby
The history of Redlining in Baltimore is a serious issue that continues to affect the infrastructure, housing, businesses, and education - disadvantaging people. Path to Paradise takes common motifs and imagery found in world religions (i.e. paradise, gates, clouds, grandiose columns) and turns them into obstacles for those unable to reap the rewards of organized religion. With paradise being situated on top of a seemingly insurmountable, metaphoric ivory tower, surrounded by an unclimbable gate, Path to Paradise raises the possibility that just even religion cannot save those who have, through no fault of their own, fallen from the grace of opportunity.
Butterfly in the Dessert
Butterfly in the Dessert by Cameron Dudley
In Butterfly in the Desert, I wanted to visually exaggerate the circumstances individuals outside of Baltimore’s “White L” face. By depicting my protagonist in a desert I touch on the lack of opportunity and resources that those who live in the “Black Butterfly” experience. Here, people must overcome a lack of funding for their communities, limited access to grocery stores, and limited opportunities for professional and educational growth. Taking inspiration from the poster for the 1991 thriller The Silence of the Lambs, I use the imagery of a butterfly covering the model’s mouth to indicate that she and those like her are silenced within their communities. The butterfly is also a way of showing that we are not silent by choice but forced by an external sources. All the while, the oasis of opportunity (a cityscape silhouette of Baltimore’s inner harbor) that we seek to access remains far away and disconnected from our reality in the desert.
Untitled #003
Untitled #003 by Nia Clark-Dallas
I created a series of posters that symbolize a few of the issues mentioned throughout the project. I used the colors of the Maryland state flag to subtly reference Baltimore. The first piece symbolizes the “fight” between People of Color (POC) and white communities. The second is an image of Redlining and the “White L” of gentrification in Baltimore. The third is an image of a few black butterflies with white bodies coming forth from a pair of Black hands. This symbolizes POC pouring back into their communities and being the source of a beautiful change despite challenges.
Dismantle
Dismantle by Junious Woodrick
I chose to make gun violence the focus of my piece because there has been a lot of it in my community lately. My thought process behind this piece titled Dismantle was that the gun would get less dangerous in each picture. In the first picture it shows the gun being pointed or aimed at somebody. In the second image the clip is being removed from the gun, and in the third image the gun is completely dismantled.
Black Lives Matter
Black Lives Matter by Darrin Bailey
For this artwork, I decided to create a design where a fist is coming into view to show the empowerment of the Black community. I wanted to make the artwork simple but meaningful. I did not want the viewer to be bombarded with a series of questions about the artwork's meaning. The transition in the figures from the background into the foreground portrays the journey to equality. The first figures in the series represent struggle and oppression before reaching the final stage and focal point, a fist proudly held in the air.
All Odds
All Odds by Jasmine Adams
Philosopher John Locke argued that “all men are free and created equally” and as such are “not subject to a monarch.” Once you are made aware, you cannot recede into darkness. We have an opportunity to seize control over what we can, uplift Baltimore, and give access to what was once considered unattainable. During the 1930’s, Jesse Owens ravaged the competition at the Summer Olympics in Berlin. Though not rightfully acknowledged by Hitler, Owens was a true winner. Redlining has been a difficult hurdle to overcome in the race for a healthier Baltimore. Before our daily journey in this race, we equip ourselves with shoes. They walk along paths with us and tell a story. In my favorite movie, “The Wiz ,'' Dorothy, played by Diana Ross, and Glinda the Good Witch of the South, played by Lena Horne, speak to the significance behind the silver slippers in contrast to the ruby red ones. Dorothy had everything she needed within herself to make it home. Though the yellow brick road was hidden and the obstacles were greater, the journey ended in triumphant self discovery. Redlining is evident in the story of Baltimore, but is not its ending.
Handle with care
Handle with Care by Sydnee Johnson
This digital collage features elements of both Maryland: the Black-eyed Susan (flower) and Baltimore’s cityscape silhouette and condemned apartment in the background. I added a black butterfly to the flower with silhouetted hands cupping it for "protection." Behind the flower is a map of the redlining that has taken place in Baltimore. On the upper right and bottom left corners are makeshift "tobacco bouquets" with space inside.