Hyper-masculine Donald Trump parody posters, images of women who persisted and a giant fluffy rabbit mounted on the wall were just some of the works of art created by local artists at the Resist! Art Show at Pop-Cycle Shop to raise funds and find books for refugee children on Saturday, April 8.
From 7-9 p.m. the shop was filled with the music of Miss Olivia and the Interlopers as well as an array of artwork, from photographic prints and portraits to reinventions of posters.
“This is an opportunity for artists to get together and have our voices heard; sometimes you can feel so powerless but art makes you feel like you have a voice to say something about what’s happening and how it’s affected our lives,” said local artist Val Galloway.
Galloway created several prints all inspired by French new wave films and old television. Resistance for Galloway is a way of thinking and not accepting what she thinks is wrong with this country.
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Other local artists with their art in the Resist! show included Tana Kelch, DeeDee Koenen, Kari Cadenhead, Audrey De La Cruz, Liz Vaughn, Sharon Moon, Christina Holland, Juilius Schlosburg, Joe Quarnberg, Will Taylor and many more.
Vegan taxidermist Sharon Thwing’s creation made a bold appearance on the walls of the busy shop. Thwing’s creations of a new take on taxidermy heads usually inhabit the walls of Pop-Cycle Shop, but at the show her over-the-top creation really took the carrot cake. She created a giant faux-taxidermy rabbit head made out of mixed fabrics.
“We need to be doing art, creating things, having a community where we support each other, and we need to stay soft and not get hard and that made me want to make something really soft that had a big presence,” Thwing said.
Thwing said she knew the second she began this project she wanted all the proceeds to go to charity. Resistance to Thwing is using creativity to imagine things being better and actually make them better.
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Artist Jimi Giannatti created posters with President Trump as the starring role in each work of art. Giannatti’s work comes to life with the vintage style of magazine covers mixed with statements by Trump.
Samantha Bounkeua, a local activist and musician who attended the event, spoke on the importance of standing up for yourself, being who you are and the value of a place for artists like Pop-Cycle in today’s political climate.
“This event is incredibly hopeful and there is something about art and the art community that automatically demonstrates their power of being able to bring things together and it creates a message of diversity, resistance and commonality that people can relate to no matter who they are,” Bounkeua said.
Ironwood High School sophomore Julianna Dardano attended the event and said it was important to stand up for what you believe in.
“It’s paramount to showcase what you believe in and to stand out against injustice and discrimination and unequal representation, especially in today’s day and age, and it’s important to do this collectively and as a whole,” Dardano said.
Shannon Riggs, one of the three co-owners of Pop-Cycle Shop, said when the shop hosts a show they try to give part of the proceeds to a local charity.
“In this case of the refugees… we had been collecting books for the kids but we thought why not put part of the proceeds into buying books for them, especially after what was happening in Syria,” Riggs said.
Riggs said she doesn’t just want Pop-Cycle Shop to be a profitable business but also a part of Tucson in the effort to making it fun and part of something. Resistance to Riggs is everyone doing something to just add up and build power to care.
Galloway said Pop-Cycle has some of the most community-minded and generous people she’s ever met.
“They’re a joy to work with as an artist and they care so much about the community and they can clearly put their money where their mouth is and they do it selflessly and I’m honored to be a part of Pop-Cycle,” Galloway said.
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