LAURA BARAN

“My works in this show are autobiographical, colorful figurative depictions of myself and my external world. ‘Self Portrait with Belle Sherman Tree’ explores my identification with nature and spirit.

Like pivotal moments, the pinks and reds speak to vibrant inspiration of stamina, strength, nurturing, and flexibility. The work aims to evoke intimacy and respect for shared creativity and the natural world, following the great traditions of Indigenous peoples.

Representing personal trajectory beating in and out of tandem with time, life, and change. Each mark a symbol of gratitude for life and community. Each mark a solidarity with fierce resistance to oppression. Each mark a call to awaken to wonder. Each mark an imperative for direct action.”

“This painting, ‘Our Children Have Rights to Creativity and Safety in Gaza and Everywhere,’ has edges marked with symbols of the right of return in honor of Tatreez, Palestinian embroidery. Everyone deserves the safety to play and create. The US/West/Israel have been starving and hunting civilians and children in Gaza for almost 2 years as of this writing. No art as usual during extermination.

Imperial powers decide that weapons testing is ok on a civilian population that is more than 50 percent children. Drones, quadcopters, AI-powered tech, and new bombs that shred bodies in a unique way are all being used on children in Gaza, the world’s largest concentration camp. Funded by the US and its enablers, the imperial war machine has been manufacturing starvation.

I’m a Jewish mother whose grandparents survived the Nazi holocaust. I have a moral responsibility to act for the safety of those surviving extermination. Our human creative intelligence is innate, universal to all who enjoy the safety needed to access it. Proceeds if sold go to the Gazan-Led Community Support Fund (@gazanledcsf).”