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Exhibition Opening Reception: Friday, January 27; 6 - 8 PM
On view: January 27 - March 11
Free and open to the public
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| An art collaboration led by artist Pamela Hovland with the broader community of Westport, the As We Are! installation presents a local perspective on identity and stereotype that people of all demographics encounter daily.
Opening on Friday, January 27 at the Westport Arts Center, the exhibition features portraits of students, community leaders, business professionals, artists, immigrants, religious figures, cultural influencers and elected officials who have contributed personal material to express their individual views and experiences with labels and the power of words. Following the MORE Than Words fall series exploring the same themes, a postcard prompting a response to "I AM MORE THAN ___" was answered by more than 500 participants who contributed their declaration, often after considerable thought as to how they believe they are perceived. The community's contributions both reveal and conceal personal identities that create insight, compassion, and a reevaluation of how we perceive and label ourselves and each other. The words are as varied as the people who participated. Among them, "I am more than ... my grades ... a housewife ... my bank account ... bi-polar ... gay ... Jewish ... a twin ... middle-aged ... my pretty clothes ... a mailman ... a bald guy ... an immigrant ... a nun."
The public is encouraged to make and share their own declaration by visiting the Westport Arts Center or by visiting the Arts Center's website and social media. All photographs for As We Are courtesy Xenia Gross. Click here to learn more about the exhibit. |