UVA’s Arthaus Gallery
43 N. Beacon St., Allston MA 02134
Curated by Catherine Wang
February 23 – March 24, 2023
Opening Reception: February 25, 2023
Curator’s Statement:
These days, most of us probably have already heard the term “climate change” a million times — we are all well aware of what it means and what things should be done to save the environment — but what about “climate equity”?
Environmental equity means both protection from environmental hazards as well as access to environmental benefits for all, regardless of income, race, and other characteristics. Climate change has affected the poorest population around the world most drastically, creating “climate refugees”. According to Mercy Corps “nearly 70% of all new displacements in the first six months of last year were the result of weather-related disasters, with a total of 9.8 million people around the world driven from their homes by shocks like drought, hurricanes, and landslides — around 50,000 people every day”, and “if sea levels continue to rise without intervention, many of those living near the ocean — about 40 percent of the world’s population — will be at risk of losing their homes”.
The good news is that many people are actively seeking a solution. For instance, the Equity Fund is investing in the leadership in Black, Latinx, AAPI, and indigenous communities bearing the brunt of climate change. By engaging voters in these communities, they are getting climate and clean energy policy solutions that reflect communities’ priorities and advancing racial, economic, and environmental justice.
At UVA, we also want to do our part. In “Climate Equity: A Better Future For All,” we aim to address the long-ignored issue of climate equity, and let more people know that not everyone is provided the resources to “go green”. We want our audience to know that the environmental crisis is not only about sustainability, but also resources and power. The participating artists are lending their voices to the unheard to tell the story that has been lingering outside the public’s sight.
Artists: Nancer Ballard, Mary Barton-Lech, Gwen Cory, Nancy Crasco, Samantha Fein, Elizabeth Lapides Pauline Lim, Elisandra Lopes, Chelsea Martel-White, Michael McLaughlin, Alex Miklowski, Shelby Myerhoff, Brenda Gael McSweeney, Matthew Okazaki, Katha Seidman, Diana Stelin
Curator’s Biography:
Catherine Wang is a freelance illustrator and aspiring art administrator. She earned her bachelor’s degree in studio art with a minor in art history from Indiana University Bloomington in 2019 and her master’s degree in creative practice leadership from Northeastern University in 2022.
Catherine has previously worked in both public and private art spaces, including the Grunwald gallery, X Museum, and the National Art Museum of China. Her main interest is to help emerging artists and local artists to reach a larger audience. She wants to use her work to shine a light on issues that have long been ignored, and bring the historically marginalized population into public sight. She wants to use art as a way to make improvements in our society as well as let more people see how art can make changes in their lives.