Pink Progression

May 31 – August 18, 2018

Pink Progression is an exhibition addressing concepts of human rights, gender, sexual identity, feminism and inclusivity. Pink Progression is a series of exhibitions commemorating and celebrating the solidarity established during the women’s marches in 2017 and 2018. During the marches, pink created a strong visual statement representing unity and empowerment. For the CVA exhibition, over fifty local artists incorporate or respond to this hue as they explore how social interactions are affected by gender and identity expression.

Within Pink Progression, themes of human nature are exposed in concepts of compassion, empathy, power struggles and oppression. Some artists describe how the women’s marches inspired thoughts of what contemporary feminism means, how it affects non-binary people, and how it can incorporate revolutionary ideas of inclusivity. Others memorialize landscapes, drawing parallels between the way land and women’s bodies are being threatened. Other artists refer to the concepts of women as self-reliant, receptive and continually evolving and transforming. Some draw you into their work to build a sense of intimacy and relatability while others provoke the viewer with visual representations of blatant injustice.

Mrinalini Chakraborty, co-organizer of the Women’s March on Washington stated, “It’s about standing up for, as well as standing beside, various minority groups, whether they are women, or religious or ethnic minorities, whether they are LGBTQIA community, these groups whose rights are being threatened…”

Pink Progression brings together a community of artists creatively exploring intersectionality, inclusivity, and empowerment.

Pink Progression was conceived of and organized by Anna Kaye. The CVA iteration features different work from the previous Pink Progression exhibitions. Many of the artists have created new work for the CVA exhibition.

• Cecily Cullen, Curator

Kevin Caron and Brian Essig-Peppard