The iconic Guerrilla Girls, whose activism-based art continues to challenge the status quo and demand accountability in the art world, will be on display at the “BAN THIS SHOW” exhibit on Nov. 8.
A multi-media exhibition featuring the work of over 30 global activist artists will crash into the Fort Works Art gallery on November 8.
Amply titled, “BAN THIS SHOW,” this exhibition is described as, “the kind of show the art world talks about years later.”
At its core, “BAN THIS SHOW” is all about art as activism and vice versa. This show tackles subjects like illegal immigration and feminism, with a portion of the exhibit set aside to honor the late Houston based artist Forrest Prince. Curated by artists Laurean Saba and Amber Terriaco, this “transgressive multi-media exhibition,” is all about shattering boundaries.
Terriaco is best known for being the force behind Culture X Creative, a Houston based art firm that works with its clients from art inception to finished product. Terriaco’s talent for creating public art will be on full display for “BAN THIS SHOW” with each section set to push the boundaries of art.
“More than an exhibition, this is an invitation for the audience to explore the intersection of art, activism, modernity, and space, encouraging them to engage with the vital issues of our time through the transformative power of art,” Terriaco says.
Saba, who is the curator and owner of Fort Works Art, has transformed her gallery from its humble pop-up beginnings into a creative art incubator. Now, she is excited to share this new experience with local art fans given her penchant for large art installations that challenge societal norms.
“We want everyone to see themselves in the art we hang on our walls,” Saba says.
A few of the artists that make up this collective include:
Caledonia Curry
Otherwise known as Swoon, Curry is a Brooklyn-based artist celebrated for her immersive, socially conscious installations that blend art and activism. Curry’s work has been showcased globally, most notably the Venice Biennale, where she created a remarkable, unofficial floating installation on the city's waterways.
Jerome Lagarrigue
Jonathan Mannion
Known for his involvement in Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys' "Giants" project, Lagarrigue’s work is praised for promoting conversations around Blackness and monumentality in art. As a child, Lagarriegue went to school in France, but spent his summers in New York City, where he now lives. He graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design, with a major in illustration, in 1996.
Kate Simon
Simon is a photographer whose work documenting the early punk scene is legendary. She is best known for her photographs of influential musicians, artists, and writers, including The Clash, Patti Smith, Madonna, Andy Warhol, and William S. Burroughs. One of her photographs actually graced the cover of Bob Marley’s 1978 album, "Kaya."
Nadya (Riot) Tolokonnikova
Tolokonnikova is a Russian musician, conceptual artist, and founding member of the feminist punk group Pussy Riot, a legendary activist, and a former political prisoner. Tolokonnikova is also a member of the street art group Voina. In August if 2012, she was arrested for “hooliganism” and sentenced to two years in prison. She was released early in 2013, alongside fellow Pussy Riot member Maria Alyokhina under a newly passed amnesty bill dedicated to the 20th anniversary of the Russian Constitution.
Beloved Houston based artist Forrest Prince.
Besides various exhibits being displayed in various forms, “BAN THIS SHOW” will also have a showcase dedicated to the memory of beloved Houston based artist Forrest Prince. His interactive spiritual art comes from Prince’s experiences with drug addiction, crime, and prison. Prince also expressed his faith, compassion, and support of people in dire need throughout various mediums. Prince’s work will be featured in the exhibition, generously lent by collectors who cherish Prince’s vision, including the prominent Houston art collector Lester Marks.
Collectively, both Terriaco and Sabra are advocates who bring their extensive experience to create what is sure to be an explosion of a show of what John Lewis called, ‘Good trouble.’
“BAN THIS SHOW,” is free to the public and opens on November 8 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Fort Works Art at 2100 Montgomery St. Attendees will have a chance to speak with the artist as well as enjoy a live performance by Disko Cowboy. A portion of the proceeds from this exhibition will go to support community-based mental health programs.
