PNWS and Politics

 

Calling it, Augmented August, two studio tour potlucks.

Chayo Wilson Studio tour, potluck, & hands on art making 327 NE 65th Ave. Portland, OR  Aug 21 @3pm 

Why do we have two studio tour potlucks in August? It’s a fluke that involves an appendicitis, a passion for raku firing and a unique opportunity for an ice carving demonstration, the life of sculpture can get complicated, managing an abundance of opportunities, collaborations, and a diverse Membership of highly unique and gifted artists. Basically, our non-profit has an Educational Mission, along with our individual sculpture practices to promote. There’s plenty of overlap for those two goals, and it’s a lot of fun helping to make it happen. Through PNWS you will discover something new, a synergy between different artists that care about the ways and means of our joining together. It’s plain to see this generosity and celebration at our gatherings, sharing the details of our art practices and sharing food. You are welcome to join in. Please, come by Teri Fahrendorf’s on Aug 17th, Chayo Wilson’s Aug 21, or Greg Wilbur’s on Sept 25th (see attached articles for details).
   These current events are the context for our inclusive ethos. Anyone with an enthusiasm for sculpture is welcome to join PNWS, and benefit from the relationships we foster. These radically inclusive values are why our organization strives to be apolitical. We are trying to allow for many perspectives. Our group aspires to be tolerant of many voices, supporting each other beyond petty personal preferences, allowing for the uncomfortable and disquieted. So, avoiding taking sides in the feuds of politics is consistent with our Mission. While art can be political, and can speak about social issues. Art can also transcend everything that we think we know about ourselves in this world. We are advocates for sculpture, an art form that says more than what words can manage. Just as sculpture physically embodies different perspectives, our philosophical/political perspectives can be different, attentive to unexpected or barely heard voices, an artistic balance being focused and open to all.

We support a culture of many cultures.

   At the risk of over-complicating this philosophy promoting artistic pluralism, the PNWS dedication to tolerance leads to a kind of paradox: being decidedly tolerant leads to an intolerance for intolerance. In other words PNWS stands against intolerance, against arbitrary social oppressions like racism or sexism, against cultural suppression, such as banning books. This is a position beyond politics; it is fundamentally humanitarian.

   As it is now in the U.S. artists largely have freedom of expression, and people can freely associate to form a variety of community experiences. So, maybe this thought exercise, and the paradox of being intolerant of intolerance is all a mute point. Maybe any threat to thriving communities and artistic freedom can be dealt with through active democracy and wise legislation, and Pacific Northwest Sculptors will continue to focus on the growth and discovery of new relationships, new art forms, spreading knowledge about materials and technology in our region, increasing access to resources for all artists. We shall see.

+++Andy Kennedy President, PNWS

Above: PNWS Members, Shelly Durica-Laiche and Laurie Vail work together restoring and installing a sculpture by now deceased PNWS Member, Olinka Broadfoot. Installation of your art in the courtyard at Oregon Society of Artists is available to PNWS Members. Respond here if you’re interested.