That question is answered by the perfectly timed art exhibit “She Ain’t Blind” which dramatically explores racialized American justice. According to the“Racialized Justice” website this exhibit:
“…..intends to provoke discussion about the broken criminal justice system, the bigoted skewed lenses of Americans and elitist capitalistic-driven corporate values.”
Creator Stanley Stallworth faced these very harsh realities when he and his nephew Therrie Miller were falsely accused of sexual assault. At the time he was a Chicago-based partner of Sidley Austin working as the firm-wide Co-Chair of the Diversity Committee and serving on the firm’s Diversity Task Force and its Recruitment Committee. The accusations ended his career there. Although Stallworth and his nephew were ultimately exonerated, that did not occur until two full years later. Like many victims of false sexual accusations, his reputation was shattered.
Stallworth began collecting art while in college. During the years of dealing with the false accusation case, he would paint from time to time. As he began to put his life back together, his mission became to prevent others from having to experience what he’d endured. Some of his favorite paintings from that time and others created specifically for this exhibit now sit together at this event to further that mission.
Stallworth says the original idea for the show came from his friend Terisa Griffin, who called him one morning telling him that he should put together an exhibit and call it “Black Man Blues.” That conversation inspired him to create a piece titled “Invisible”, an ode to what he’d endured and how it made him feel. Later on he began talking to other artists. Their work now graces the walls of this exhibit.
“I spoke with them in small groups of four or five, told them my story and forthrightly answered any questions they had. Some literally wept, some sent me notes after our meeting and all offered to help tell my story. One of my goals is to create programs that provide support for young people re-entering the mainstream after incarceration.”
Curator of the exhibit and Talent Manager Roe Melloe explained:
“At first the show was supposed to be a 30-piece show focused on social justice, but with the “depth of emotions” from the artists, the show continued to grow. What started off as a blank canvas took a year and a half to put together.”
The work of forty artists and more than 260 pieces of art are arrayed in seven different rooms, each with its own theme. The“Blue Suite” fosters a discussion of direct injustice that is brought about by those who wear blue uniforms. The “Jim Crow” room explores that long and painful truth while posing the question of whether Jim Crow law still exists. The “Generation of Sistas" room is a tribute to women. “In These Streets” starkly explores why unarmed blacks are more likely to be shot by police than unarmed whites. “Move Spirit” explores the spirit within to keep moving no matter what. “Just Because” invites viewers to enjoy life no matter what.
The “Least Among Us” room features the artist “Christine” whose work focuses on valuing all people no matter their challenges, disabilities, lifestyles, or barriers.” She is battling stage four rectal cancer. All of the proceeds from this series will be used to pay for Christine's healthcare expenses after her surgery.
The exhibit’s grand opening event offered three days of special activities, beginning with a special exhibition for collectors, media and the artists of the exhibition, as well as a performance by Terisa Griffin. Attending were ABC 7 Chicago news anchors Karen Jordan, Cheryl
Burton and Jim Rose. Burton bought a resist piece from the“Generation of Sistas”. The festivities concluded with a jazz brunch and a performance by Ricky Dillard New Generation. That evening featured performances by artists T-Godz, UFB Plymkrs, Lil Breeze, Isiah Hicks, $crill, and IV. The evening was hosted by Melloe who reported that in just a few days:
“The show sold 20 pieces, but we’d like to see an 80- 90 percent success rate. The goal is to connect, get the conversation started and to travel the show. The show has already drawn interest from Atlanta.”
The event runs through August 25 at Steele Elliott Design NPF located at 2635 South Wabash Ave. The venue is owned by curator Bryant Lamont. Details and tickets can be found at <racializedjustice.com>.
Ultimately Stallworth hopes for a heightened awareness of what is happening here and across the country as a result of this exhibit. His goal from the beginning has been to enlighten and help others avoid what he went through. He believes:
“We need to educate ourselves about the system, and most importantly, hold the system to the standard it is sworn to uphold.”
This exhibit does that majestically.
Creative Credits
- Written by
- Jasmine Smith
- Image courtesy
- The Tallulah Group
