“They are instant ways of communicating your demands when the (other) voices can drown yours,” Ekinci said of protest signs. “They are also [works of art] that bring meaning to viewers in different contexts. Seeing them all together in a gallery without the chants gives them a new perspective.”
Ekinci sees the exhibition leading to greater awareness—a first step on the way to positive change.
“I hope it starts conversations,” she said. “I hope it gets people uncomfortable. I hope it makes people reflect on their own contributions to the good fight and encourages them to take action. I also hope that it helps (people fighting for justice) feel not alone, because they are not. And we will amplify their voices whenever we can.”
The Protest Art exhibition can be seen virtually at https://northcentralartanddesign.com/protest-art-exhibition. Plans are to continue the exhibition into the spring semester with possible small, socially distanced in-person visits. Check the web page as well as the department’s Instagram & Facebook (@northcentralartanddesign) and Twitter (@ncccas) accounts for further details.