Roundtable Discussion on Art as a Vehicle of Protest and Dissent March 27, 2007

TMN's Scott Cobb will participate in a roundtable discussion at Texas State University in San Marcos on LOYAL OPPOSITION, “Art as a Vehicle for Protest and Dissent,” scheduled at 11 a.m. March 27 in JCM, Room 2121. The discussion will include several of the artists with works in the exhibit. One of the topics of discussion will be the recent controversy at the Texas Capitol when a state representative took it upon himself to remove two pieces of artwork that he deemed "extremely inappropriate and highly objectionable".

LOYAL OPPOSITION is an art exhibition of protest and dissent at the Joann Cole Mitte Art Building in Gallery I at Texas State University. It was curated by Mary Mikel Stump and contains artwork by a few artists that were also in TMN's "Justice for All?: Artists Reflect on the Death Penalty".

LOYAL OPPOSITION is comprised of 41 pieces of art, including photography, paintings and sculptures. The pieces were created by 21 emerging and mid-career artist from across the nation.

Each piece of art in the exhibit signifies a social issue concerning “Protest and Dissent,” such as racism, politics, segregation, justice and drug abuse. Works in the exhibition include the stitched cotton “WHITE FLAG” by Jack Daws, a woodcut piece entitled “Good Worker” by Daniel Gonzalez and “Freedom of Expression National Monument,” a photograph by Erika Rothenberg.

Derrick Durham, a Texas State alumni and resident of San Marcos, created the large mural outside of Gallery I for the exhibit.

“It’s important the viewer not walk away thinking that is the end game,” Durham said.
For the art to be effective in creating an impact, he said, “action must be followed.”

Mary Mikel Stump, JCM gallery director, said she appreciates the opportunity to support programs such as Common Experience. Stump traveled to several galleries and art shows across the nation to obtain pieces of art for LOYAL OPPOSITION.

“I like the characterization that each artist represents a singular voice about their particular issue,” Stump said.

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