Blockfort is excited to exhibit the work of visual activitist Mary Klie as she tackles the subject of white privilege. Through collage she is able to extract both subtle and blatant pushes against white supremacist culture using references from as far back as the 1920’s. She often pairs vintage imagery with her own sketching or contemporary design to create a dialogue of history repeating itself or society regressing.
Opening Reception, Friday February 4, 6-8pm
Saturday Feb. 5, 12pmScreening: Black History, Freedom, & Love
Free admission, donations for Reparations NOW! welcome.
Saturday, Feb 12. Time tbd
Activism Teach-In by the founding members of J.U.S.T.
$5 to attend & benefit J.U.S.T
Exhibition Title
The title for the show comes from musician Aesop Rock and his song “Daylight”.
“You won’t be laughing when your covered wagons crash You won’t be laughing when the buzzards drag your brother’s flags to rags You won’t be laughing when your front lawn’s spangled with epitaphs
You won’t be laughing
….
All I ever wanted was to pick apart the day. Put the pieces back together my way”
Artist Statement
My work addresses whiteness and the many problems associated with white privilege and white supremacy. I used to think about the white space that surrounded my collages as just a metaphor of multitudes. But the space represents the white universe in which we are all enveloped whether we are fully aware of it or not. I source my images from a vast collection of 1920-1970’s home magazine collection. The overabundance of white centric advertising and imagery is astonishing if not horrific. I believe that I am uncovering many layers of deep rooted racism found in popular culture that is by no means nostalgic. The truth gets harder the closer I look, the more pieces I put together, dots I connect and the farther back I research. I will never understand what it means to be a person of color in America. I do, however know what it means to be white and I will continue to expose the ugliness the best way I know how – by making art and continuing my journey as an activist.
About Mary Klie
Born 1980, Akron, OH. Currently lives in Westerville, OH. Mary is a full time artist, activist and mother with an Undergraduate degree in Fine Arts from The Columbus College of Art and Design and a Master’s degree in Fine Arts from The School of Visual Arts, NY.
Her artwork has been shown in Columbus, OH, New York, NY, Brooklyn, NY and in London, UK. For twenty years she has explored topics on gender roles, popular culture, feminism and most importantly racism/white privilege in America.
Instagram: @MaryKlie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzhKiGlsw2c