In 2015 I visited Noah Purifoy’s art in the desert, a year after the Ferguson riots, and wrote:
“Noah Purifoy was an African American visual artist, sculptor, founder of Watts Towers Art Center and one of the most known assemblage artists. After Watts Riot of '65, Purifoy dedicated himself to the found object, to the ‘junk...which had begun to haunt our dreams.’
Though he was black he considered himself more of an “assemblage artist” than a black artist.
Noah served his country in a segregated Navy during WW2 and obtained 3 degrees while simultaneously struggling for civil rights in “the world's greatest democracy”. After the war no longer needed their services, many African Americans had difficulty finding work. Coupled with the purposeful maintenance of all-white suburbs in areas of LA, actively pushing African Americans to poverty stricken areas where there were no opportunities and an unjust commodity economy, it was a time of tension and unrest. It was also a time when LAPD was knowingly developing more military-like culture and racial violence, mostly approved by the general white public.
Due to decades of oppression, economic disenfranchisement and police brutality, the Watts Riot was the most violent race rebellion in American history lasting 6 days.
From the riot's wreckage, Noah began building from the charred debris as social commentary of society's state of vapid lifestyle and capitalistic culture in which our objects lay as 'fallen idols and fragmented monuments'. He also rallied other artists and formed a traveling exhibition, '66 Signs of Neon'. The last 15 years of his life he moved to Mojave Desert and built over 100 assemblage pieces filling up 10 acres of land.
Although peace is preferred, and seeing it looped across the TV is uncomfortable which leads to finger pointing, condemning and dehumanizing — even MLK, a pillar in promoting peace for social change, said, ‘It is not enough for me to stand before you tonight and condemn riots. It would be morally irresponsible for me to do that without, at the same time, condemning the contingent, intolerable conditions that exist in our society. A riot is the language of the unheard.’
“As a child, I wasn’t conscious of racism,” he told The Times in 1995, “but I was aware something was going on. Once, when I was 5, my mother was taking me to the store, and there was a parade in the street. People had hoods on, and when I asked my mother what was happening, she said, ‘That’s the Ku Klux Klan.’ ”
Riots and social unrest has been necessary part of evolution of society in America and the world garnering a lot of the benefits and freedom we have today. Look at US history (i.e. Boston Tea Party). Some riots are called heroic or just “passionate fans” (sports riots) while the black vs white riots are often labeled as “animals” or “thugs”. We do not live in a universal utopia where basic human rights are equal, whether it's race, class, gender, disability or sexuality and until then the frustration and pain has to find an outlet to be heard.”
2020: Art and expression has potential to give voice and light to injustice and socio-political issues of the moment. On Instagram I stay away from politics so it’s a neutral space to welcome everyone to see how humanity is more similar than different; in our struggles, pain, grief, loss and joy. But on my personal Facebook I’m much louder about socio-political injustice which I’ve largely taken a break from so I can focus my limited dwindling energy on projects and things I can affect. But my expression is geared towards giving light to disability and how we are often left out of the conversation of human rights so I’m already pseudo socio-political here (on Instagram).
If you care about a cause, find ways to give creative voice. Speak about it, don’t let it rest in darkness. Before judging what is or isn’t, look deep within history to find answers to what is true. If you don’t understand, work to change your perspective with empathy and seek to learn about the other side of life you’ve never experienced.
Change your thinking, change your perspective on any topic with the simple question, “How would I feel if this was me, my loved one or my child?” Ask yourself, “Would I get shot while jogging?” and “would it take over 2 months for power to finally arrest my known killers?” Racial profiling, injustice and institution corruption is still very much alive today and no amount of silence or defense will make this untrue. I care about people over institutions every single time and they must always be challenged when power is protected over injustice. Do not be afraid to speak truth to power. Do not live in silence, it only fuels darkness. Ahmaud Arbery is not an isolated incident nor media sensationalization, it’s a microscopic look at everyday life for many black Americans. Open your mind, open your eyes, open your heart.
My art gallery
Follow my wheelchair travels, art and musings at Instagram.com/kamredlawsk