by FORGE (Jason Rodriguez)
ARTIVISM- The act of using art as a means to protest your discontent for something. It is a combination of the words art and activism.
I created the original piece after a long restless night of worry about how I could help my brothers and sisters, the Water Protectors of Standing Rock, ND. "A Big shout to Obey Giant for the inspiration."
This is the "FLAG" version, showing the U.S. flag of 1851 in the background.
Profits from the sales of limited edition (of 100) prints go to support the Sacred Stone Legal Defense Fund.
Available for purchase at www.555editions.com
About the artist: My name is FORGE. I am a street artist, printmaker, educator and artivist living in Taos, NM but originally from Brooklyn, NYC.
Growing up identifying as a mix of Cuban, Native American and European descent, I have experienced the struggle first-hand of being a brown person. I have always heard the calling to support people in need by expressing myself with art.
This has blossomed into working with my Taos community youth to educate and empower them to feel like they have a voice that WILL be heard and a future that they have control of. Working with students in different grades, some from Taos Pueblo, we talked about, designed and made banners and t-shirts and delivered them to the Oceti Sakawin camp at Standing Rock to show our solidarity and support.
This current work is what I feel I can do in support of the Standing Rock cause. I have chosen the Sacred Stone Legal Defense Fund to support because I feel the battle will continue in the courtroom for a long time after this peaceful protest has subsided.
50% of the profits will be donated. The remaining funds will allow us to continue to be able to teach artivism within the Taos community.
