Small but mighty art

Not to compare but small and independent art exhibits need the attention now

I forget in the business of creating content that I love art. Then I saw a LaRussell tweet reminding me that everything is also content.

Sometimes in the hustle of trying to pitch stories to editors who are overwhelmed with pitches from newly released writers who have been laid off from every publication known to man, I forget the one thing I love when someone creates something and gives it to the world.

In its truest form creative arts can take on a life of its own. Mimi Tempest opened her first curatorial exhibition, ‘whistling t̶h̶e̶ ̶a̶v̶a̶n̶t̶-̶g̶a̶r̶d̶e̶.’ at Good Mother Studios in Oakland, the small and mighty exhibit has so much life throughout art.

As the window dressing is an exhibition for expression of the exhaustion with fat phobia. On the second floor a 12 minute film “Seventh Circle” is an interpretation of the seventh circle of hell. Collage print art, scrolls and protest signs fill the room.

Small curated rooms like these make me remember why different viewpoints are necessary. Recently, I saw another exhibition in a larger venue that I won’t mention here. I could tell it was designed to be provocative but it felt sanitized for judgement consumption or rather it lacked the freedom to exist. Nothing made me feel scandalized or uncomfortable.

Tempest’s exhibition made me question something. It made me feel like I needed to examine art, my larger body’s place in the world, and hellscapes of our own making. I needed to think about something. I needed to be reminded why we create for the sake of creation. Creations, like ‘whistling t̶h̶e̶ ̶a̶v̶a̶n̶t̶-̶g̶a̶r̶d̶e̶.’ can transform art’s consumption to a decision to an offering.

Good Mother Studios is located at 408 13th St, Oakland, CA 94612