By Kathy Chouteau
The Point Richmond Gallery is spotlighting Bay Area artists’ political silkscreen posters with the exhibition “Take to the Streets: State of Emergency,” slated for June 7-29.
The creations of artists Art Hazelwood, Marti McKee, Xavier Viramontes and Debra Walker address pivotal moments in history spanning the Civil Rights, anti-war, labor, feminist, LGBTQ+ and environmental movements. An “Opening Reception” will be held Saturday, June 7 from 2-5 p.m.
According to the gallery, the exhibition will showcase provocative and visually striking works by the four Bay Area artists and activists, highlighting the current political zeitgeist and how art—and specifically screen-printed posters—have historically fueled social change.
Silkscreens will be showcased as a medium of resistance, said the gallery, in that they are bold, repeatable, and built for the streets. “Silkscreen posters are the original viral media,” said curator and artist Marti McKee. “These posters are created to provoke, inspire and mobilize.”
The power of the message and this particular medium continues to be an important tool in the fight to save our Democracy, said the gallery.
Find the Point Richmond Gallery at 145 West Richmond Avenue in Richmond.