(Click above for Lao translation)
“Seeding the future when possible extinction stares us in the face; seeding freedom when the freedoms of all beings are being closed for the limitless freedom of the 1% to exploit the earth and people, to manipulate life and our minds: this calls for a quantum leap in our imaginations, our intelligences, our capacity for compassion and love, as well as our courage for creative nonviolent resistance and non-cooperation with a system that is driving us to extinction.”
- Vandana Shiva, Oneness vs The 1%: Shattering Illusions, Seeding Freedom
Both locally and globally, the effects of the world’s climate crisis are accelerating. California is now known for its annual fire season and long standing disasters rage against the atmosphere, driving us toward our own extinction. From the genocide and enslavement of native peoples to the systemic displacement of migrants, colonial and corporate greed scorch our relationship with the Earth. Yet as long as there is exploitation and catastrophe, there is resistance.
Sowing Agency is inspired by Asian Pacific Islander leaders fighting for environmental justice. Our communities are underrepresented in climate conversations, but this crisis impacts all of us differently across intersections of language, class, spirituality, cultural practices, geography, citizenship and indigeneity.
We seek work that responds to the following:
How might we go about “seeding the future” and “seeding freedom” as Vandana Shiva writes? What are our roles in the fight for environmental justice? Who are the leaders in our communities resisting the industries polluting our bodies, the air, water and soil?
How do power, wealth and opportunity impact our relationship with the Earth? How might we restore that which has been stolen? Can we?
What can re-emerge, when we reflect on our kinship with the environment: ancestral, immigrant, refugee, indigenous, women, queer, trans and otherwise? How can we acknowledge and heal from climate grief in order to regenerate awareness and resilience?
This is a space to sow agency on the issues affecting the health, safety and sacred futures of our human and non-human communities.
Questions? Email exhibitions@aawaa.net
ELIGIBILITY
Open to all artists of color of any gender identification in the United States, 18 years and older
Our goal is to center BIPOC narratives, perspectives and agency for this show. Groups and collectives don't have have to be exclusively BIPOC as long as BIPOC play a predominant role in the project.
In addition to our general submission we’re also looking for artists to help with two projects from our community partners. Please let us know if you would be interested in collaborating in any of the following ways in the application:
Create a series of paintings documenting environmental justice leaders and activists in the Richmond Lao community, who have been involved in long-standing organizing against Chevron. For this show we’re requesting an artist from the community, in partnership with Asian Pacific Environmental Network.
Draw, paint or photograph one piece representing South Asian environmental activists, in partnership with Berkeley South Asian Radical History Walking Tour.
EXHIBITION INFO
Curator
Lisa Pradhan (Forward Echo and </3)
Exhibition Manager
Diana Li (Agrarianaa: Art Inspired by APA Agricultural Roots and Appendix)
Jurors
Shina Robinson (Local Policy Associate at Asian Pacific Environmental Network)
Maureen Nandini Mitra (Managing Editor of Earth Island Journal)
Rebekah Olstad (Community Herbalist, Red Autumn Apothecary)
Venue
SOMArts Cultural Center, Main Gallery (TENTATIVE) and Online*
When
May 2021 (exact dates TBD)
*We are working with SOMArts staff to determine a process for hosting the exhibition in the Main Gallery in a way that aligns with health and safety guidelines amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether or not we are able to exhibit the work in person, we will be creating a digital catalogue and toolkit for the show.
SUBMISSION INFO
We welcome:
Interdisciplinary Artworks (all visual, installation, literary, performance, film, music or sound art genres will be considered)
Collaborative Works
Works in Progress with Proposals (submitted in the artist statement)
If you call it art, so do we!
If you’re looking for inspiration, take a look at photos from our previous show.
Want to workshop your application? Lisa and Diana will be available Saturdays, 10:00am-11:30am to offer any support. Email us at exhibitions@aawaa.net to schedule a time to meet over Zoom.
The submission deadline is Sunday, November 15th, 2020 11:59PM PST. Please reach out to us at exhibitions@aawaa.net if an extension would be helpful.
ENTRY FEE
After submitting your application, please be sure to pay the sliding scale entry fee. Your $25-35 entry fee will go toward processing the application for our jurors to review.
Membership discounts
All current AAWAA members receive $10 OFF on the sliding scale entry fee using the promo code sent through the membership newsletter. If you are a member and did not receive the newsletter with the promo code, please email membership@aawaa.net.
Submissions are FREE for new members who sign up now through November 15, 2020 or by the submission deadline.
SUPPORT AN ARTIST
Subsidize an application fee for an artist by contributing at the button below (or pay for an additional entry fee if you are applying):
If you are an artist experiencing any form of economic hardship, please feel free to contact us at exhibitions@aawaa.net for a fee waiver.
Artist Fees
All selected artists will be provided with a $100 exhibition stipend.
Artists invited to work with APEN and Berkeley South Asian Radical History Walking Tour will each be offered at least a $500 minimum fee for the commission and exhibition of the work.
PRESENTATION PARTNERS
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
FUNDED IN PART BY
