Change Agents

Art is essential to society’s ability to progress.

Northeast Ohio is home to several artists whose practices take on matters of both local and global importance. These artists grapple with racial and gender equality, attempt to reframe issues of immigration and sound the alarm regarding the environment. These artists’ work is varied but shares potency and purpose. They’re on the front line of the debate. They’re educating viewers and evoking a response.

They are agents of change.

“The Deportation Wall” by Michelangelo Lovelace (2016); acrylic on textured canvas, 36 x 63¾ inches; ML040.

Courtesy of the artist and Fort Gansevoort, New York.

“Lawns are a monocrop that diminish biodiversity (or, Thanks a lot, Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown)” by Corrie Slawson (2018); screen print, oil, gouache, acrylic, gold leaf and vintage flocked wallpaper on paper, 62 x 41 inches.

Image courtesy of the artist.

From left, Tha Dah with her mother, Paw Eh. The two immigrated to Akron in 2011 from a refugee camp in Thailand. They became refugees after Burmese soldiers tried to kill them.

Image courtesy of the artist, Shane Wynn.

“SOS, Blackface” by Dexter Davis (2018); print, collage, 12 x 15 inches each.

Image courtesy of Progressive Insurance.

Acerbic, Inc. installation view for “Constant as the Sun” at MOCA Cleveland (2017).

Image courtesy of the artist.

A viewer takes in all four components of “Philanthropic Patchwork” during the opening reception for Martinez E-B’s “B Side” Oct. 5 at Waterloo Arts in Cleveland.

Photo by Michael C. Butz

“Burning In Water, Drowning In Plastic” by Laura and Gary Dumm; acrylic on canvas, 36 x 36 inches.

Image courtesy of the artists, Laura & Gary Dumm.

“Thick Skin (Blu-Raspberry)” by April Bleakney (2018); screen print, 12½ x 19 inches.

Image courtesy of the artist.

See more artwork and learn more about the artists at CanvasCLE.com.