The Filson announces the Kentucky Covid-19 Poster Project
Louisville, Ky – The Filson Historical Society is excited to announce a new initiative, the Kentucky Covid-19 Poster Project. Inspired by the Covid-19 Poster Project at the Wisconsin Historical Society and other Covid-19 art actions throughout the country, this project leverages the power of words and images to document, interpret, and find inspiration in a challenging historical moment.
With support from The Snowy Owl Foundation and Mountjoy Chilton Medley, seven Kentuckiana artists received a commission of $250 to design posters that will be added to the Filson’s Covid-19 Community Collection. The artists chosen are:
Shae Goodlett, whose love of drawing started in elementary school. When asked what he tries to convey with his artwork, he said, “I think primarily what I want to do with my work is engage the viewer and have them relate. Whether it’s making them laugh with a one-liner illustration or trying to prompt some subconscious connection to a bizarre surrealist composition, I find engagement and accessibility of content to be most important.”
Amiya Crawford, who strives to allow her viewers to feel intrigued, or, in her words, “invited in to look and understand the work from their own lens of understanding. I would liken it to wanting someone to take a stone and turn it over in their hands, observe its color and texture, all of its little details, and then decide whether they’d carry that stone home with them or leave it on the ground.”
Tad DeSanto, a self-taught artist whose primary goal is, “to get people to think, to question and to relate to the sometimes-absurd realities of life in America, perhaps accompanied by a sly smile or stifled laughter. Making something from nothing is magical. When the image I’ve created touches another person’s heart I feel a special connection that is beyond words. My art takes me to another place where thoughts, memories and feelings collide. I want my work to make people think, smile and laugh.”
Mallory Lucas, a printmaker whose practice has been directly impacted by Covid-19. When asked what she strives to convey through her work, she said, “My work is whimsical and humorous but also deals with serious themes of otherness and social inequality and exclusion. My work is ambivalent, sometimes focusing on feelings of isolation and rejection from being “normal,” but often it celebrates instances of difference causing joy.”
Keith Rose, a screen-printer who strives to point out that it’s okay to be yourself through his art. In his words, “I’ve always been very uniquely me whether it’s appropriate or not. I didn’t, however, always have the voice to stand up for myself.”
Patricia Fulce-Smith, a multi-media artist who has created several murals throughout the city. Her passion is creating pieces that depict women and girls–especially those who’ve had to be strong. She finds herself in each woman or girl that she paints or creates. Patricia says, “I breathe through my art. I find myself through their stories.”
Paul “Arte” Chambers, a printmaker who finds inspiration from American social issues, old styles of artwork, social disruptions, and dialogue about human issues. When asked how he hopes others view his work, Chambers said he wants his work to “spark conversation and to question what the viewer believes in.”
In addition, the posters funded by the Kentucky Covid-19 Poster Project will be sold online starting November 24, 2020 and will continue until December 30, 2020. All proceeds of the poster sales will benefit the Artists Relief Trust, a local coalition of arts organizations and private philanthropists providing small grants to Kentuckian artists in need during these difficult times. More information about the project and poster sales can be found online at www.filsonhistorical.org/collections/covid-19-poster-project.
Questions about the Covid-19 poster project should be directed to Maureen Lane via phone at (502) 635-5083 or by email at gro.l1742936315aciro1742936315tsihn1742936315oslif1742936315@neer1742936315uam1742936315.
###
Since its founding in 1884, The Filson Historical Society has preserved the region’s collective memory, not only of Kentucky but also of the Ohio Valley and the Upper South. The Filson continues to collect and tell the significant stories of the region. An independent historical society, The Filson serves the public through its extensive research collections and numerous educational opportunities. The Filson is headquartered in the Ferguson Mansion in Old Louisville and offers research facilities, event, and rental space.