Thoughts on Social Justice Expressed Through Art

Students in Christa Boske's "Leading for Social Justice" graduate course at Kent State University presented something Dec. 17 that many of them had never done before: express their thoughts about social justice through art.

With the help of an artist mentor, the students "translated their presentational symbols of feeling, form and metaphor … into artmaking." The show was titled "Can You See Me Now?"

After initial research about social injustice, the students handpicked their artist mentor, who was either a graduate student or a member of the community, and began a discussion that culminated into both an art project and a meaningful experience.

With 20 students presenting, the gallery was packed with people, art, conversations and, most importantly, passion.

One student chose to address his peers by asking "Are you ready?" Bryan Bedford created a video in which viewers listen to him read his poetry while they look at an empty desk chair. This scene is spliced with voices of his students talking about the racial inequalities they have experienced. The video challenges viewers to step up to the job of social leadership in schools while warning them of the difficulties that await them in doing so.

Some students used the opportunity to expand their abilities and get to know a local artist. Thomas Larkin, assistant superintendent of Kent City Schools, joked with artist and mentor Roger Boggs as they talked about the process of Larkin's piece called "Self Reflection of Three Educators." Boggs, who uses sheer fabric in his work, seemed to be a perfect match for Larkin, who simply encouraged Boggs with words such as "layers," "reflect" and "transparency."

Boggs enjoyed the teaching experience and wishes more artists would get involved. He feels that by aiding a student during their creative process "you get to be an artist."

Larkin's piece consisted of three, 5-foot by 5-foot sections that held curtains of sheer fabric. One could look through the first curtain where there was just a name and read about how that person perceives students living on the margins. "We are all products of our past experiences," Larkin said. The piece raises the issue that, consciously or unconsciously, people pass their experiences on to others.

Boske's course sparked such an interest that a few people who were not even part of the class decided to participate. Andreas Esparza created a piece that depicted "the iris of the eye of power," a chart engraved into slate that shows the current social hierarchies that depend on age, gender, race, sexuality and economic status.

"This map will change. It is not right. (It's) unsustainable," Esparza said.

Another project emerging from general interest was from a group called Advocates of Culture and Knowledge. Their project, called "StAtistics Prison," was a fabricated prison cell big enough for just one person. The members of the group took turns talking to viewers about social inequalities from inside the cell. Jonathan Jones, a member of ACK, spoke of a societal system that he sees as setting people up for failure. His statistics included the numbers of jails versus colleges in the U.S. as about 5,000 to 4,000, respectively.

In only its second semester, Boske's class has engaged students across multiple disciplines and, in doing so, broadened their perception of themselves as well as others. While this class seems to have inspired courage and creativity, it also enlivens a conversation that can change current delinquent social attitudes to ones that support growth.

All proceeds from any of the works sold will support local charities.