By Jenelle (Bayus) Sanders
Starting on October 28, Hiram College’s Gelbke Fine Arts Center will display “Women’s Rights Are Humans Rights: International Posters on Gender-based Inequality, Violence, and Discrimination.” The exhibition features posters created by both men and women to celebrate and acknowledge the vital role that all citizens play in protecting and promoting human rights, while challenging gender inequality and stereotypes, advancing reproductive and sexual rights, protecting women and girls against brutality.
The posters displayed promote women’s empowerment and participation in society, while challenging religious and cultural norms and patriarchal attitudes that subordinate, stigmatize or restrict women from achieving their fullest potential. In their collective visual voice, the posters are designed to jolt the viewer’s sense of collective responsibility to challenge prevailing attitudes toward gender inequality and discrimination, while provoking both a healthy discomfort and empathetic response in the viewers.
Works in this exhibition have been selected by Sheila Hart, adjunct professor of graphic design at Hiram College, from a larger body of work organized and curated by Elizabeth Resnick, professor emerita of graphic design at Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston.
“Women’s Rights Are Human Rights” will be on display at the Gelbke Fine Arts Center from October 28 through December 16. However, during Friday, November 18 through November 25 the gallery will not be open due to Thanksgiving break and will open again on November 28. The gallery will be available to visitors from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday or by appointment. To open the exhibition, the College will host a reception on October 28 from 4:30 – 7 p.m., with a talk by Sheila Hart beginning at 5:30 p.m. The reception is free to attend and open to the public.
For questions or additional information on the exhibition, contact Christopher Ryan, M.F.A., professor of art and design at Hiram College and Gelbke Arts Center Director at RyanCT@hiram.edu.
