CANVAS OF CHANGE

Discover the ways Archer students use their artistic talents to drive social impact and inspire community engagement

WORDS BY MEREDITH H. ’26

Illustration By Tatyana Alanis

Art isn't just about beauty—it's a battle cry. It is a canvas for activism, where creativity meets the fight for justice and equality. From ancient cave paintings to civil rights protests, art has transformed from personal expression into a powerful tool for social or political change, raising awareness, inspiring action, promoting dialogue and empathy, and challenging systems.

During times of social and political upheaval, activism has increasingly merged with artistic expression. This is inspired by a combination of factors, including historical events, social movements, and cultural shifts. For example, the Civil Rights Movement in the United States and anti-colonial struggles around the world inspired artists to use their work as a form of protest against oppression and inequality.

Last year, Archer had a month dedicated to Art and Activism by inviting speakers, arranging exhibits, and hosting assembly presentations. Beth Gold, the Director of the Artemis Center, said the purpose of the month-long event was to educate students about issues around the world and to inspire others to make a change through different mediums.

“Art can expose us and touch parts of our soul and our heart in ways that looking at statistics or reading an article about something might not get to us. It's a way for people to both view and learn and also to unload, and for people to express themselves in ways that words and images might not do the same thing,” Gold said. “So I wanted to have this Art and Activism month to show students ways in which artists are drawing attention to social justice causes, in a way that might broaden people's perspective and exposure to issues.”

Melinda W. ’26 and her friend had a similar idea when they started their nonprofit, Reflect Empathy, which uses art to raise awareness about global humanitarian crises. One of their recent projects was an anthology highlighting the emotional impact of the war in Ukraine. The book features paintings, photographs, and ceramics created by high school students from both the United States and Ukraine, offering a window into the personal experiences behind the headlines.

Melinda said that while news reports focus on facts, they often miss the emotional realities faced by those affected.

“I think art is a great way to connect with the human soul because it expresses what words often can’t,” she said. “By combining art with activism, we can create empathy and inspire action for causes we care about.”

Melinda’s and Gold’s view of art as a way to convey emotions is timeless—it has long been a tool for sparking empathy and driving change.

Picture this: a bustling street corner in the heart of a mid19th-century city. Amidst the hustle and bustle, a group of determined women gather, their voices rising in unison, echoing through the cobblestone streets. They're part of something big, something that will change the course of history: the suffrage movement. These women aren't just fighting for themselves; they're fighting for the right of every woman to have a say in the decisions that shape their lives. Despite facing ridicule, harassment, and even arrest, they remain determined, channeling their frustrations into creative forms of protest. They created art in all its forms—political

Illustration by Tatyana Alanis

“The Awakening” is a famous 1915 political cartoon by Henry Mayer. It depicts a representative figure of a woman holding a lamp, symbolizing enlightenment, while surrounded by women from various parts of life, including a working woman, a suffragist, and a mother with a child. These creative efforts didn't just raise awareness; they fueled the suffrage movement, helping to secure the right to vote for women and paving the way for future generations. At Archer, we can draw inspiration from these historical figures, recognizing that art and activism remain powerful tools in the fight for equality. The suffragettes remind us that our voices, whether through art, words, or actions, have the potential to shape the world around us and continue their legacy of courage and change in our own communities.

Fast forward to the 1960s and 1970s, when the second wave of feminism took place. The movement went one step further. Its goal was to challenge traditional family roles, and women’s place in institutions. Mexican artist Frida Kahlo contributed to the feminist art movement through her portrayal of the female body. Rather than conforming to conventional beauty standards, Kahlo's self-portraits often depict her with masculine clothes, unplucked eyebrows, and wild hair, challenging societal norms and expectations surrounding femininity. By celebrating her physical imperfections and asserting control over her own image, Kahlo empowers women to embrace their bodies as they are. Additionally, Kahlo's paintings frequently incorporate symbolic imagery that reflects her experiences as a woman. She often includes motifs such as blood, tears, and childbirth, representing women's suffering and resilience. These symbols assert the strength and endurance of a woman challenging the patriarchy.

This concept of using art to highlight and empower women’s voices is reflected in the work of students like Belén H. ’26 at Archer. Inspired by a meeting with Justice Sonia Sotomayor in sixth grade, Belén embarked on an Eagle Scout project that now stands in one of Archer’s hallways. Her mural features all six female Supreme Court justices, both as adults and in their younger years, alongside anecdotes and stories from their lives, such as their colleges, hobbies, and awards they achieved. Belén’s project is more than just an artistic endeavor; it’s a statement on the importance of female representation in both art and society.

“Out of the [over 100]...men [Supreme Court judges], there are only six women, so I thought that is a really low number,” Belén said. “I think these women should be recognized because I actually started researching each of these women and a lot of them were really difficult to find information about them. I thought it's something that there needed to be more like female representation or representation of women in general, especially in art because when you go outside, it's usually like Kobe Bryant, Nipsey Hussle, and a lot of sports figures, but never about these female political figures.”

Belén started her project in seventh grade and recently concluded it when the mural was hung in Archer’s hallway on Friday, May 10, 2024.

“I think art is the best way to spread a message because it's something you can visually see, and I feel like if you can visually see it, it can also be interpreted in a bunch of different ways," Belén said. “You're able to learn from it, and I think art can spread activism. It can educate, you can advertise, but you can most importantly learn. So if you learn more about the issue through art, then you can spread the factors.”

Creating her art and activism project was no easy task. Belén faced many challenges throughout her process such as delays from the pandemic and many mural location changes.

“If you have an idea, just reach out to as many people as you can to execute your message,” Belén said. “But I think just constantly don't stop on your idea. If someone says no, just keep trying, look for new opportunities if you just want to execute your project and promote your message.”

Art and activism not only apply to social and political movements but are also used as subcultural expressions that impact the world we live in today. Originating in African American and Latinx communities in the Bronx, New York City, hip hop emerged as a form of cultural expression encompassing music, dance, graffiti art, and spoken word.

From its early days, hip hop has been intertwined with social and political activism, addressing issues like racial inequality, police brutality, poverty, and systemic injustice. Hip hop artists have used their music as a platform to shed light on societal issues and advocate for change, with powerful lyrics that speak to the realities of marginalized communities. Through its rhythmic beats, dynamic rhymes, and innovative storytelling, hip-hop has become a tool for amplifying the voices of the oppressed and challenging the status quo.

Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, a pioneering rap group in hip hop, created songs like "The Message," which highlighted the struggles of urban life and the realities of poverty and violence in marginalized communities. Similarly, Public Enemy emerged in the late 1980s as one of hip hop's most politically charged groups, known for their confrontational lyrics and militant style. With songs like "Fight the Power," Public Enemy became vocal advocates for African American empowerment and social justice, calling out systemic racism, police brutality, and political corruption.

In more recent years, artists like Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé have continued the tradition of using hip-hop for activism, addressing contemporary issues with their lyrics and beats. Kendrick Lamar’s album “To Pimp a Butterfly” explores themes of race, identity, and systemic oppression, criticizing America's social and political landscape.

Beyond music, visual art has also played a significant role in addressing themes of injustice. Artists like Fulton Leroy Washington have used their creative platforms to shed light on their personal experiences. Last year, Archer students had the unique opportunity to engage in a Q&A session with Washington, an artist who was wrongfully convicted for a nonviolent drug offense in 1997 and sentenced to life in prison.

During his 21 years of incarceration, Washington began depicting his fellow inmates in his photorealistic oil paintings, capturing their emotions and vulnerabilities. Much like hip hop artists who use their lyrics to amplify the voices of the oppressed, Washington used his art to express the human emotions felt within the harsh treatment of prison, describing it as a “neutral zone” amidst the harsh realities of incarceration.

After President Obama commuted his sentence and granted him clemency, Washington continued to paint, tell his story, and advocate for criminal justice reform. His work is currently exhibited in museums across the U.S., collected by national and international collectors, and recognized with the Mohn Award for Public Recognition, an honor given to the artist with the most votes from visitors at the Hammer Museum's biennial "Made in L.A." exhibition.

In the fall of last year, Archer’s Eastern Star Gallery hosted an exhibition titled “INCAPTIVITY,” showcasing 11 of Washington’s limited-edition paintings created during his incarceration. He explained the meaning behind several of his works and spoke about his ongoing efforts to provide housing for those freed from wrongful imprisonment through his Art by Wash studio and community center. Reflecting on his artistic process, Washington shared that he finds inspiration in his surroundings and captures in his paintings the occurrences that reach him spiritually.

After his visit, Sydney T. ’26 presented on the Innocence Project, an organization committed to overturning wrongful convictions and discharging those unjustly imprisoned. She encouraged students to engage by learning more about this topic and advocating for a fairer justice system for everyone.

It’s clear that creativity serves as a powerful catalyst for change, because when words fail, when the world seems too overwhelming, art has a way of cutting through the noise, touching hearts, and moving minds. As Archer students continue to explore and use the power of art, Gold said she hopes that Art and Activism Month made a meaningful impact. The Artemis Center will keep sharing information on activism throughout 2024-2025, aiming to encourage ongoing student engagement.

“I hope that we whet student’s appetite and that they can continue even though we're not having a formal art and activism month,” Gold said. “I hope students can continue to pursue it on their own, connecting their own passion for the arts and social justice.”