GDW EVENT ALERT: FEBRUARY 20 & 27, 2021 - The Artist Revolution: Political Prisoners x Artist Sophia Dawson

By Gloria DULAN-Wilson

Hello All:

Happy Black History Month Everybody!  As we continue to make history in the 21st century, we have to remember to pay homage to our ancestors, predecessors, and peers - because we're truly making history even as I type this intro.  Please make it your business to mark your calendars because, thanks to our new media, social media, and sequestration, we are so overwhelmed with so much evidence of our past, present and ongoing greatness in real time - and you don't want to miss a minute of it.  For the first time we can actually tell our children and potential grandchildren: "In 2020 and 2021 I WAS THERE!! and I made a difference!"  - (GDW)

That said, save the date and be prepared for Black Heritage Month: Artist Talk and Panel Discussion hosted by Brooklyn based visual artist and political activist Sophia Dawson at the Langston Hughes Library, Saturday 2/20 and following Saturday, 2/27. The two-part virtual event aims to provide raw and fresh dialogue with the visual artist speaking with notable political prisoners in order to humanize the often one-dimensional and polarizing  lens surrounding the conversation.. (http://www.sophia-dawson.com/)

The artist, who has dedicated her life's work to exposing the stories and experiences of individuals striving to overcome the injustices they face, will discuss her latest work, which is currently exhibited at the Langston Hughes Library and offer an inside look for the release of her first book Correspondence, which captures life-stories of Black political prisoners. In addition Sophia will speak alongside political prisoners affected by the criminal justice system in America, from Black Panther Party, Move organization and more.

This Black Heritage Month event is a nod to Sophia’s life’s dedication to provide a resource through her art to the often forgotten. The artist’s ten year  dedication of visiting Black Panthers and other political prisoners will come to full depiction through her upcoming book, Correspondence, which is set to be released this  upcoming Wednesday, February 24th

Find more detail about the upcoming event, below and more information on Correspondence, following: 

Event Dates and Details (Beginning at 2 PM EST ): 

• Saturday, February 20th - LINK HERE

• 2:00pm: Fireside with Political Artist Sohia Dawson

• Artist talk with Sophia Dawson and her work that is currently exhibited at Langston Hughes Library, and her work as a whole. 

• 2:30pm: #SetThemFree Panel 

• Panel to include Sophia and family members of political prisoners; Ksisay Sadiki, Dequi Kioni Sadiki, and Yasmeen Majid  who have all been incarcerated due to the criminal justice system in America. 

• Saturday, February 27th - Link HERE

• 2:00pm: Fireside with Political Artist Sohia Dawson

• The artist to talk with Sophia Dawson and her work that is currently exhibited at Langston Hughes Library, upcoming book and mission to use her art 

• 2:30pm: #FreedomRings Panel 

• Panel to include Sophia and the following  released political prisoners:  Sekou Odinga, Herman Bell, Zolo Azania and members of the MOVE organization.

   

About Correspondence

Correspondence is a poignant and raw book that humanizes the issue of political imprisonment through the individual narratives and stories of visited political prisoners by Sophia Dawson. The book envelopes a trail of large-scale painted portraits, videos, sound pieces and performances that were all preceded by handwritten letter correspondence, visits to state and federal prisons, phone calls, facilitation, advocacy, court attendance, letters of support, fundraising efforts, prayer, fasting and intercession for each individual. What is fabricated is the end result of a developed relationship with each subject and their blessing to share their personal narrative of injustice through Sophia’s work. 

NOW THAT YOU KNOW

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

Stay Blessed & 

ECLECTICALLY BLACK

 

Gloria DULAN-Wilson