**How did the ArtNow 2021 students respond to the prompt, Good Trouble?**

What have been their experiences during a year of global turmoil?

How is activist art a catalyst for social change?

In this blog post, our Executive Director Ami Davis shares some thoughts on the ArtNow 2021 theme Good Trouble and situates highlights from the exhibition into a larger conversation about activist art in our nation over the decades. We pause to reflect on the role of art as a vehicle for social change in the past and present moment.

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“Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime. Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”

—John Lewis on the ongoing fight for equal rights, 2018

Jean-François Millet, Man with a Hoe, 1860–1862 — Jean-François Millet, *Man with a Hoe*, 1860–1862

Diana Vanry, Giving, Colored Pencil, ArtNow 2021Artist Statement: “By overcoming hardship, the hands, worn tough and old from their experience, harvested the beautiful eggs and gave them to us. This piece is an ode of gratitude for their hard work, and illustrates that those who thrive in adversity are the most gratifying and beautiful of all.” — Diana Vanry, *Giving,* Colored Pencil, ArtNow 2021
Artist Statement: “By overcoming hardship, the hands, worn tough and old from their experience, harvested the beautiful eggs and gave them to us. This piece is an ode of gratitude for their hard work, and illustrates that those who thrive in adversity are the most gratifying and beautiful of all.”

Käthe Kollwitz, The March of the Weavers in Berlin, 1897 — Käthe Kollwitz, *The March of the Weavers in Berlin*, 1897

Dorothea Lange, Migratory Cotton Picker, Eloy, Arizona, November 1940, Gelatin silver print, printed 1965 — Dorothea Lange, *Migratory Cotton Picker, Eloy, Arizona*, *November 1940,* Gelatin silver print, printed 1965

Dorothea Lange, Migrant Mother, Nipomo, California, March 1936, Gelatin silver print, printed 1949 — Dorothea Lange, *Migrant Mother, Nipomo, California, March 1936,* Gelatin silver print, printed 1949

Jillian Silva, Break the link., Gouache, ArtNow 2021Artist Statement: “This painting is a recreation of a photo which captured a peaceful protest regarding the Black Lives Matter movement in San Jose. The lone stranger on a bent knee, facing a row of armed officers, displays the potential each individual holds to persuade the course of history with a little bit of good trouble. Breaking the link of normalcy presents the opportunity for change from the injustice lingering in the veins of society.” — Jillian Silva, *Break the link.,* Gouache, ArtNow 2021
Artist Statement: “This painting is a recreation of a photo which captured a peaceful protest regarding the Black Lives Matter movement in San Jose. The lone stranger on a bent knee, facing a row of armed officers, displays the potential each individual holds to persuade the course of history with a little bit of good trouble. Breaking the link of normalcy presents the opportunity for change from the injustice lingering in the veins of society.”

Danika Vadnais, We're Not Going Back, Graphite, Charcoal, Copic Marker, ArtNow 2021Artist Statement: “I took protesters and signs from throughout time and united the signs with a quote from John Lewis. My idea was that the fight through time for change is the greatest semblance of good trouble there is- we've fought together and marched together and we will keep fighting and marching together until we've reached the change we want to see in the world.” — Danika Vadnais, *We're Not Going Back,* Graphite, Charcoal, Copic Marker, ArtNow 2021
Artist Statement: “I took protesters and signs from throughout time and united the signs with a quote from John Lewis. My idea was that the fight through time for change is the greatest semblance of good trouble there is- we've fought together and marched together and we will keep fighting and marching together until we've reached the change we want to see in the world.”

Elliot Kampmeier, May 25, 2020, Digital Painting, ArtNow 2021Artist Statement: “When our system repeatedly fails Black citizens, it is only right to drop everything and fight against it with any means necessary. Often, protest is a momentary halt in the status quo – a brief period of disruption that ends eventually – but until Black Lives Matter, we cannot stop the disruption. In the words of John Lewis, we must, ‘never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.’” — Elliot Kampmeier, *May 25, 2020*, Digital Painting, ArtNow 2021
Artist Statement: “When our system repeatedly fails Black citizens, it is only right to drop everything and fight against it with any means necessary. Often, protest is a momentary halt in the status quo – a brief period of disruption that ends eventually – but until Black Lives Matter, we cannot stop the disruption. In the words of John Lewis, we must, ‘never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.’”

Savannah Knight, Necessary Trouble, Acrylic on Canvas, ArtNow 2021Artist Statement: “My piece shows a BLM protester, with an “I can’t breathe” mask, who is being cornered or arrested by the police. At the BLM protests, protesters fight for what is right. Even when there are consequences, even when the people they’re fighting against have all the power; sometimes they have to go against the authorities’ orders because it is the only way to have their voices heard. That is good trouble, necessary trouble.” — Savannah Knight, *Necessary Trouble*, Acrylic on Canvas, ArtNow 2021
Artist Statement: “My piece shows a BLM protester, with an “I can’t breathe” mask, who is being cornered or arrested by the police. At the BLM protests, protesters fight for what is right. Even when there are consequences, even when the people they’re fighting against have all the power; sometimes they have to go against the authorities’ orders because it is the only way to have their voices heard. That is good trouble, necessary trouble.”

Catherine Huang, Peace Poppy, Acrylic on Canvas, ArtNow 2021Artist Statement: "My work explores the perceived relationship between peaceful protest and the violent outcomes. In the piece, the suggestion of a peace offering is presented by a child, which represents youth and innocence. Good trouble is shown by the girl. She steps out to hand the police officer a poppy, a symbol of peace. By doing so, she is jeopardizing her own safety knowing that her actions may result in serious consequences." — Catherine Huang, *Peace Poppy,* Acrylic on Canvas, ArtNow 2021
Artist Statement: "My work explores the perceived relationship between peaceful protest and the violent outcomes. In the piece, the suggestion of a peace offering is presented by a child, which represents youth and innocence.
Good trouble is shown by the girl. She steps out to hand the police officer a poppy, a symbol of peace. By doing so, she is jeopardizing her own safety knowing that her actions may result in serious consequences."

Norman Rockwell, The Problem We All Live With, 1964 — Norman Rockwell, *The Problem We All Live With*, 1964

Two women with bags of food at the People’s Free Food Program, one of the Black Panther survival programs. Palo Alto, Calif. 1972., Stephen Shames

Soumi Sarkar, Vaccines for All, 2021 — Soumi Sarkar, *Vaccines for All*, 2021

Jackson Arabaci, Preserve Protect Prioritize, Digital Illustration, ArtNow 2021Artist Statement: “Historically, Native Americans have systematically suffered racism and social injustices. They ultimately sacrificed their land, lives, and liberties. Today, inequalities such as public funding, access to quality healthcare and education have contributed to the health disparities that put Native Americans at higher risk from COVID-19. Indigenous people are two times more likely to die from the Coronavirus. In order to right this wrong, they must be preserved, protected and given priority to the Covid vaccine.” — Jackson Arabaci, *Preserve Protect Prioritize,* Digital Illustration, ArtNow 2021
Artist Statement: “Historically, Native Americans have systematically suffered racism and social injustices. They ultimately sacrificed their land, lives, and liberties. Today, inequalities such as public funding, access to quality healthcare and education have contributed to the health disparities that put Native Americans at higher risk from COVID-19. Indigenous people are two times more likely to die from the Coronavirus. In order to right this wrong, they must be preserved, protected and given priority to the Covid vaccine.”

Natasha Yen, Stop Police Brutality, Digital Rendering, ArtNow 2021Artist Statement: "Police violence plagues America and the militarization of police promotes a dangerous approach to policing– one that appears to intimidate and escalate violence rather than protect communities. I used the American colors to bring attention to how police brutality, especially towards people of color, is systemically ingrained in our society, with red specifically drawing attention to the gun and dripping blood, representing the harm police violence causes. America needs to stop police brutality." — Natasha Yen, *Stop Police Brutality,* Digital Rendering, ArtNow 2021
Artist Statement: "Police violence plagues America and the militarization of police promotes a dangerous approach to policing– one that appears to intimidate and escalate violence rather than protect communities. I used the American colors to bring attention to how police brutality, especially towards people of color, is systemically ingrained in our society, with red specifically drawing attention to the gun and dripping blood, representing the harm police violence causes. America needs to stop police brutality."

Haily Phan, A Cultivated Society, Watercolor, Gouache, ArtNow 2021Artist Statement: “Through illustrating a tree-planting scene, I wish to capture the hopeful spirit of the young generation coming together to plant positive impacts into our community. The buckets filled with ingredients are the good influences, such as leadership, courageousness, acceptance, and more, that help the tree at the center grow. The flourishing tree symbolizes how, through the work of a diverse community, an improved society is being cultivated.” — Haily Phan, *A Cultivated Society,* Watercolor, Gouache, ArtNow 2021
Artist Statement: “Through illustrating a tree-planting scene, I wish to capture the hopeful spirit of the young generation coming together to plant positive impacts into our community. The buckets filled with ingredients are the good influences, such as leadership, courageousness, acceptance, and more, that help the tree at the center grow. The flourishing tree symbolizes how, through the work of a diverse community, an improved society is being cultivated.”

Sonny Yiu, This Is the Hour, Gouache, ArtNow 2021Artist Statement: “I believe it is important to create art that opens the audience’s perspective. I take inspiration from artists who use color exceptionally well because I prefer to use colors boldly. I utilize an illustrative style to capture the attention of kids, inspiring them as future leaders. This piece focuses on the cruel sport of fox hunting while leaving a hopeful impression as children get into good trouble to liberate those who need a voice.” — Sonny Yiu, *This Is the Hour,* Gouache, ArtNow 2021
Artist Statement: “I believe it is important to create art that opens the audience’s perspective. I take inspiration from artists who use color exceptionally well because I prefer to use colors boldly. I utilize an illustrative style to capture the attention of kids, inspiring them as future leaders. This piece focuses on the cruel sport of fox hunting while leaving a hopeful impression as children get into good trouble to liberate those who need a voice.”

Camilla Williamson, Head in the Clouds, Acrylic on Canvas, ArtNow 2021Artist Statement: “This painting embodies the whimsy of daydreaming. Children are often discouraged from daydreaming; but daydreaming is not always an absence of mindfulness. The backdrop of a saturated cloud filled sky symbolizes the vivid imagery and expansive possibilities that are possible in the imagination. Despite any condemnation, daydreaming and keeping “your head in the clouds” opens a world of creativity.” — Camilla Williamson, *Head in the Clouds,* Acrylic on Canvas, ArtNow 2021
Artist Statement: “This painting embodies the whimsy of daydreaming. Children are often discouraged from daydreaming; but daydreaming is not always an absence of mindfulness. The backdrop of a saturated cloud filled sky symbolizes the vivid imagery and expansive possibilities that are possible in the imagination. Despite any condemnation, daydreaming and keeping “your head in the clouds” opens a world of creativity.”

Posted by Michèle Jubilee, NUMU’s Education Programs Manager