in support of Black Lives Matter

On-view July 2 – August 15

Featured in LA Times: “How a South L.A. gallery is turning Black Lives Matter protest signs into art”

An open call installation of protest posters floating throughout the gallery at varying heights, clearly visible through its windows from historic Slauson Avenue. We encourage gallery visitation and offer interactive participation for reflection and idea-sharing.

Join us in continuing the protests by showing your posters for a duration of time in place at SoLA Contemporary, located on West Slauson Ave / Crenshaw Blvd in South Los Angeles. Proceeds support Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, Inc.

The show has been purchased by the LA County Department of Arts and Culture for future exhibitions.

Curatorial Statement

“Protest in Place” was curated by Peggy Sivert. Sound and video produced by Tatum Hawkins.

Protesters carrying signs dominate the streets and our gallery is empty. We imagine the used posters floating in a gallery of empty walls at varying heights, like ghosts. A reverent display in a place, in a time demanding change. These used posters may not be fine art or archival, but they are nevertheless of great value, both historically and for their urgent message to facilitate long overdue social and political change in our country. In this time of crisis, art has become the language of protesters. SoLA Contemporary supports the Art and its message: Black Lives Matter. We hope to support the movement by recognizing the value of the protest posters as the art of our time.

The posters have been collected from a cross section of LA protesters and a few from those who were unable to attend the streets. They are distributed throughout the gallery, floating from above as visitors weave throughout the installation. We hope that the mask and social distancing, a new normal in these COVID-19 times, will create a somber and meditative mood for the limited number of visitors who move through. A subtle soundscape completes the immersive experience, with sounds from LA’s largest protest led by the founders of Black Lives Matter on June 7, 2020. The sound installation is accompanied by a video element that plays as a reminder of the past events and those that continue to take place across the country and around the world.

We believe that justice, equality and democracy will be greatly advanced because of the young people who are taking an active leadership role in demonstrations across the country, and we believe that this time the protests will result in major changes for all aspects of our society.