Democracy in the Crossfire

Sebastian Rich, "Refugees in Pakistan," 2022, photograph 24 x 16 in

Sebastian Rich, "Afghan Refugee Severely Beaten by Police, Patras, Greece," 2009, photograph, 18 x 24 in

Sebastian Rich, "Refugees Living in Squalor, Patras, Greece," 2009, photograph, 20 x 15 in

Sebastian Rich, "Young Girl Carries Straw to Build a Wall for Her House, Mabaan County, Southern Sudan," 2013, photograph, 24 x 16 in

Orna Ben-Ami, "Entire Life in a Package," 2016, welded iron sculpture and charcoal lines on photo 23.5 x 17.75 x 3.5 in

Renée Stout, "The American Way," 2023 acrylic, latex and spray paint on word panel, 21 ½ x 27 ½ x 2 inches

Anna U Davis, "The Pacifist," 2009, acrylic and hand-cut paper collage on canvas 20 x 20 in

Carter Wynne, "Lawless," 2020, acrylic paint, 24 x 36 in

Steven Cummings, "The Bridge," 2015, photograph 20 x 16 in

Helen Zughaib, "Where Are You, Banksy?," 2024, gouache and paper on board 12 x18 in

Kirsty Little, "The RightNOW Project," 2024, montage, 6’ x 12”

Zoe Kosmidou, "Waste Picking: Trash for Livelihood," 2023, photography, 24 x 15 in

Tracy Meehleib, "Prayers at the Israeli Embassy, Washington DC," 2024, photograph 18 x 18 in

Patrick G. Ryan, "Exhausting," 2020, photograph, 20 x 16 in

Shamila Chaudhary, "The Great American Cruise," 2021, water-based paint on gesso board, 9 ½ x 11 ½ in

Jannis Kounellis, "Sarajevo: Le Porte National Library," 2004, Photograph

Vahram Aghasyan, "Ruins of Modernity," 2007, Video, Size varies

Nebojša Šerić Shoba, "Untitled," 1998, Photography

Democracy in the Crossfire
July 6-September 1, 2024
Curated by Timothy Brown and Dr. Sarah Klein

Democracy in the Crossfire: Art, Identity, and Resilience showcases a collective narrative woven together by a collection of dynamic local, national, and international artists, offering a tapestry of diverse perspectives on the pressing global issues confronting citizens in contemporary democratic landscapes. Notably, the inclusion of Washington, DC area artists adds a crucial dimension. Their art amplifies the diverse voices and experiences of our community, fostering dialogue and reflection on the challenges inherent in democratic societies worldwide.

Featured Artists

Anna U Davis
Carter Wynne
Helen Zughaib
Jannis Kounellis
Kirsty Little
Nebojša Šerić Shoba
Orna Ben-Ami
Patrick G. Ryan
Renée Stout
Sebastian Rich
Shamila Chaudhary
Steven Cummings
Tracy Meehleib
Vahram Aghasyan
Zoe Kosmidou

Mike Easton, A Boat Called Jesus, Mixed media, 56 x 66 in

Mike Easton, Don't Drink The Water, Oil on linen, 42 x 46 in

Mike Easton, Monkey Business, Oil on canvas, 60 x 72 in

Mike Easton, No Strings Attached, Mixed media, 60 x 84 in

Mike Easton, Oh Say Can You See, Mixed Media, 16 x 20 in

Mike Easton, Quo Vadis, Oil on linen, 37 x 47 in

Oh, Say Can You See
June 8-30, 2024

The works included in this exhibition reflect the many barriers people face as they flee their homes from war, violence, economic insecurity or climate change. At the same time, these works represent their resilience through pattern and color that reflect their dignity and heritage as they attempt to make a better life for themselves and their families.

Helen Zughaib, Portrait of Resilience, 2022, Photo, Gouache on board, Photo credit AFP, 44.75 x 34.5 in

Helen Zughaib, Left Behind, 2023, Gouache on board, 30 x 40 in

Helen Zughaib, Sedra, A Portrait of Resilience, 2024, Photo, Gouache on museum etching paper, 2 children’s canvas shoes, Painted in acrylic gouache, 38 x 48.5 in

Helen Zughaib, Wall of Resistance, 2022-Ongoing, 78 wood tiles, Gouache, 6 x 6 in (each)

Helen Zughaib, The Places They'll Go, 2015 - Ongoing, 47 children’s canvas shoes, Painted in acrylic gouache, Size varies

Helen Zughaib, BORDER No Entry, 2024, Text and one child's shoe, Size varies

Helen Zughaib, The Women: A Portrait of Resilience, 2024, Photo, Gouache on museum etching paper, 38 x 48.5 in

Borders + Barriers: Pattern of Resilience
June 8-30, 2024

The works included in this exhibition reflect the many barriers people face as they flee their homes from war, violence, economic insecurity or climate change. At the same time, these works represent their resilience through pattern and color that reflect their dignity and heritage as they attempt to make a better life for themselves and their families.

Kiana Honarmand, Mending Unhealing Wounds, 2019, Video projection on organza, Duration 15:00

Kiana Honarmand, Ensnared, Unbound, 2024, Site-Specific Installation laser-cut felt, wire, synthetic hair dimensions vary

Kiana Honarmand, Ensnared, Unbound, 2024, Site-Specific Installation laser-cut felt, wire, synthetic hair dimensions vary

Kiana Honarmand, Where Silence Sings, 2024, 4 channel video, Duration 3:00 loop

Screeching Silence
June 8-30, 2024

Screeching Silence is an immersive multimedia installation incorporating sculptures, video projection, and the interplay of light and shadows. This exhibition serves as a tribute to the “Woman Life Freedom” protests in Iran, ignited by the tragic death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022. This site-specific installation delves into the ongoing struggle of Iranian women against gender apartheid and their relentless fight for basic rights through acts of civil disobedience.

Hair is the central element of the exhibition, showcased in a 4-channel video installation and integrated into suspended sculptures. These sculptures are cut with patterns incorporating Persian calligraphy, which interact with light to cast shadows throughout the space. Hair, once a simple aspect of human existence, has emerged as a potent symbol of political resistance for Iranian women, symbolizing their unwavering defiance against oppression.

Khánh Lê, Installation

Khánh Lê, A Brave New World for Him, 2024, Mixed Media- Gold and silver paint, acrylic jewels, glitter, silk screening on canvas, 40 x 30 in

Khánh Lê, She Led Them Through the Night, 2024, Mixed Media- Gold and silver paint, acrylic jewels, glitter, silk- screening on canvas.

Khánh Lê, Taking Her Sister Out with Her New Perm, 2021, Mixed Media- Gold and silver paint, acrylic jewels, glitter, silk-screening and archival print on canvas, 48 x 32 in

Khánh Lê, We're Still OK in Here (II), 2023, Mixed Media- Gold and silver paint, acrylic jewels, glitter, silkscreening and archival print on canvas, 30 x 40 in

Khánh Lê, Raided by Pirates... Mixed Media: Gold and silver paint, acrylic jewels, glitter, silk- screening cut out and archival print on wood panel. 52 x 36 in

From This Moment
May 3 – June 2, 2024

The paintings and installations in this exhibition serve as fragmented memories that allow Lê to create new narratives as he collages them using scrapbooking and mixed-media materials. He transforms everyday family photo albums into colorful abstractions using a gold gelly roll pen, sequins, acrylic stickers, and acrylic crystals. Lê layers together fragmented images through mixed-media collages to create a new historical narrative reflecting the tension in his identity. For Kháhn Lê, From This Moment provides an opportunity to create a space for him and his family to coexist while allowing them to grow organically through the patterns and embellishments surrounding them rather than be confined like from their time in the refugee camp.

About the Artist:

Khánh H. Lê (b. 1981, Long Dinh, Vietnam, who lives and works in Washington, D.C.), creates mixed-media collages based on deteriorating photographs and collective memories of his personal and familial history as refugees living in Vietnamese internment camps. Lê graduated with a BFA from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and an MFA from Syracuse University in 2008. After graduate school, he moved to Washington, making it his new studio base. His work has been exhibited at the Hunterdon Art Museum, Clinton, New Jersey, and locally at the Smithsonian’s Portrait Gallery of Art, Corcoran Gallery of Art, Vox Populi, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington. Lê received 2nd place as a finalist in the Bethesda Painting Awards 2018. In 2019 Lê was a semifinalist for the Sondheim Artscape Prize in Baltimore and a semifinalist for the Bethesda Trawick Prize in 2020. A finalist once again in the Bethesda Painting Prize 2020. Lê was selected as a finalist for the Smithsonian’s Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition 2022 at the National Portrait Gallery. In addition to art prizes, Lê has been commissioned by Arlington Public Art, Arlington Transit: Art, Smithsonian Freer Gallery, Meta Open Arts (formerly Facebook Open Arts), Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, and Frederick Arts Council.