Students explore activism and solidarity through art

By Angelica Hernandez 10/22/24 11:21 p.m.

While some students use their voice to protest and call for social change, others opt for another means of expression, through painting, sculpture or photography. Some Rice students say activism through art has proven to be an enriching way to express dissent that resonates as loudly as their voices.

Some artists defend subjects linked to their identity. In this case, activism may be an integral part of their art because of the role of their identity in their lives. Camille Neal-Harris is one such artist, whose sculptures in wood, plaster and metal express her beliefs on race and equality.

“A lot of my pieces have to do with the sky and the sun, culture and emotional development,” said Neal-Harris, a student at Will Rice College. “I think because I am a black woman, the concepts of race, culture, and standing up against systems that cause discrimination are ingrained in every piece I create, whether I say it explicitly or not.”

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Others find themselves using art to understand and represent the world. Musab Salah said his multimedia art reflects Palestinian resistance and solidarity between movements.

“I think in absurdist terms because the world today — especially in its political dimensions — often seems absurd,” said Salah, a junior at Will Rice. “I think young people are increasingly aware and frustrated with these conditions, and my work aims to create spaces for collective exchange, reflection and expression. »

Many artists find that their works are influenced by politics and activism. Sophia Rohlfsen ’24 said she finds her photographic work indirectly expresses her views and thoughts on necessary changes.

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“My work is not overtly political, but politics will always influence my works,” Rohlfsen said. “I don’t know if my work ever tries to prove anything. I think I’m just trying to show what I find interesting about a subject.

The intersection of activism and art also allows students to become involved in the broader student community. Salah had such an experience through an installation at Rice Students for Justice in Palestine.liberated area», implemented last spring.

“Last semester, some of my peers and I conceptualized this installation as a collective project,” Salah said. “We built a wall frame that allowed community members to paint freely in the designated space on large wooden panels. This article took on additional importance in response to the administrative repression against student demonstrations: the organization of a demonstration was restricted due to censorship and students were closely monitored.

According to Salah, art spaces also foster an environment that allows creativity and activism to collide.

“I regularly ask my friends and classmates for their opinions on the visuals I produce,” Salah said. “Through this collaborative process, art becomes a means of engagement, encouraging others to reflect on their role in broader social issues. »

According to Salah, Rice’s diverse environment allows him to challenge conventional expression through a variety of mediums.

“On a campus as diverse as ours, art has the power to reshape the way we exchange ideas and create new forms of cultural expression,” Salah said. “While words are important, visual forms – whether posters, murals or installations – provide a tactile and immediate way to interact with the world. »

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