As Lauren Crew photographed the face of a young woman in the summer of 2015, she was struck by the model’s flaws, vulnerabilities and strengths. Crew had no idea the image would resonate with thousands of other women in the same way.
The “profound beauty” that Crew saw during the photo shoot went beyond the woman’s gold earrings and glowing skin. To Crew, the image represented the strength and vulnerability of women, and she was so moved by the portrait that she submitted it to the Women’s March on Washington.
The Oakland-based photographer is one of 5,000 female artists, identified and non-binary, who submitted their work to an art call sponsored by the Women’s March and The Amplifier Foundation, an organization that funds collaborations between social movements and artists.
A panel of women selected five pieces that would be mass distributed during the January 21 march. Overall, more than 20 pieces received recognition after the event through art shows, protests and social media platforms. Crew’s photograph was one of the 20.
The artwork by Crew and others has become a symbol of the March, where more than half a million people in the United States rallied for women’s rights under the young presidency of Donald Trump. Two million people marched worldwide, including celebrities and activists, such as Gloria Steinem, Michael Moore and Ashley Judd.
“After the election there was so much sorrow and pain, and then what this march did was stir up pride and strength. I impulsively acted on that and was just like, ‘hell yeah’,” said Crew.
Much of the artwork at the March depicted female faces, flowers, handholding and bold-lettered messages that were meant to raise awareness for inclusive values, marginalized communities, reproductive rights and environmental protection. Several of the artists said they worry that the Trump Administration is threatening the justice that the March stood for.
“It’s essential that we continue to make art not only to voice protest of the administration, but also to show solidarity with the most vulnerable groups who need our support and activism,” said Mary Purdie, of North Hollywood, one of the 20 recognized artists.
Artist Lisa Brown decided to direct the proceeds of her work to pro-immigrant and refugee organizations. She wanted to help counter President Trump’s executive order, calling for heightened “border security and immigration enforcement improvements.”
“I feel like it’s my responsibility to encourage a new generation of artists to speak their truth, create art they believe in and realize that the work of children’s literature is a powerful tool in creating empathy and understanding,” said Brown, an illustrator instructor at the California College of Arts.
Kate Deciccio, a D.C. artist whose work was chosen as one of the final five pieces for the March, created artwork that depicts a woman holding a sign reading, “Achieving our full selves by fully embracing each other.” The goal of her work, she said, was to highlight the importance of confronting the “negative dynamics between women” that have existed for much of America’s history.
“Even if Hillary (Clinton) was our president, we would have a lot of work to do,” said Deciccio. “Maybe more people are ripe to respond with self critique and action now that we are literally looking fascism in the face, but my intentions remain the same with or without Trump.”
Moving forward, Crew said the attention her photography received has inspired both political plans, such as traveling to red states and photographing Trump supporters, and personal plans, such as writing and “honoring the process” of creativity.
“Let me write. Let me be quiet. Let me be still. Let me take care of my next step before I try and put a cape on,” said Crew. “I’m doing everything I can to feed my creativity in a way that I never have. I have to help communicate. I don’t know what that looks like yet. I don’t know what that’s going to be. I’m just sharpening all my gear.”
Author: Isabel Pellegrino
Email: [email protected]
Author Bio: Isabel Pellegrino is a sophomore at the George Washington University from Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. She is majoring in Journalism, minoring in Sustainability, and working to augment her own and other’s understanding of the unique perspectives and stories that make up the world. Her goal is to contribute, engage and change with her surroundings. Her motto is that there is always more to learn.
Link to social media or website: https://isabelpellegrino.wordpress.com
