To Alter or Abolish

Abigail Ekue Photography, Peace Sells (top) and The Right Shot (bottom), To Alter or Abolish installation , YC Prescott Art Gallery, Yavapai College, Prescott, AZ

I attended the opening reception of the exhibit, To Alter or Abolish, at YC Prescott Art Gallery, in Prescott, AZ.  Exhibit is ON VIEW until Feb 20.

To Alter or Abolish is a thought-provoking and unflinching exhibit which doesn't allow the viewer to look away from the truth of the history of the United States and it’s current state of violence and disarray. Thrilled to be one of 28 artists in the art show.  My art - "Peace Sells" and "The Right Shot" - was extremely well-received and I was well-received in the room (IG). Considering I was in Arizona, I was pleasantly surprised. But as one woman told me, Arizona is less a red state and more purple nowadays. This exhibit is one I’m very proud to be a part of.

To Alter or Abolish Opening Reception Image Source

This is my Artist statement on my work in the exhibit:

The Declaration of Independence was not written to include all inhabitants of the then colonies -- excluding African slaves. "Peace Sells But Who's Buying?" Generations of Black slaves were bought and sold. White male landowners declared freedom from the British Empire and peace/appeasement of their citizens all while excluding those who were forced to build the country. "The Right Shot" - police-cum-slave patrol still treats Black people differently. We hold these truths to be self-evident - TO WHO?

To Alter or Abolish is a group exhibition celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence showcasing the art of protest, propaganda, and communication in the public sphere from historical and contemporary perspectives. “The collection of 37 works of art by 28 artists ranges from traditional oil on canvas to creative mixed-media pieces, all exploring the values and vital conversations that have shaped the American experience for 250 years.”

The art exhibit is powerful. It was a welcome change a pace to be in an art show that includes various mediums. I also like that it pushed me to do more creatively. When you don’t feel like the best one in the room, you’re pushed strive for more. I felt like my art was more ‘literal’ and dare I say ‘safe’ compared to other works. But the message was received by viewers. More than one attendee at the To Alter or Abolish opening reception told me personally that “Peace Sells” was one of their favorites in the show and how powerful it is. “The Right Shot” reminded people of the Black men and women who have been murdered by police and spoke to people now with the latest murder of a white civilian by ICE (at the time of the exhibit people were referring to Renee Wood. Alex Pretti hadn’t been murdered yet).

Jerry Bleem, The Flag of the Consuming States of America, Single use plastic bags, cord, 81” x 40”

Ken Crost, Time for Peace, Digital, 30’ x 30”

With the current social and political climate in the US - MAGA, Project 2025, ICE - this exhibit is so timely and necessary. Instagram