Expression Against Oppression Billboard Exhibition

SaveArtSpace has partnered with Expression Against Oppression bringing more public art to Portland, OR!

 

Expression Against Oppression is a space for Black, brown, indigenous people and all oppressed people to take up space in Portland, the whitest city in America. It is a space for BIPOC creatives to have the tools to the creative and be connected to projects happening around social justice. Our mission is to elevate Black and POC creatives to see the power in their work and art and to build a community that fights for justice and equality. We must create and design safe playground spaces in marginalized communities and elevate Black and brown creatives all over the world.

 

The art world is not inclusive of all, it is only inclusive of a few. We must bring attention to all underrated creatives, all unknown creatives. all creatives fighting for change, and all creatives challenging the status quo. All BIPOC artists will be selected from our OPEN CALL.

 

WE NEED YOUR HELP

Our goal is to install 8 billboards around Portland Oregon that will go up in July. BIPOC artists deserve space and visibility and for others, to hear their voices and stories, this is a direct way to not only support BIPOC creatives, but also replace destructive ad space with impactful art, and put money directly into the hands of artists that are fighting for a better world with equality and justice. Each tax-deductible donation of $1,000 we raise will fund the artwork of BIPOC artists and support them on their journey of using art as a weapon for change. 

 

12k for billboards // 1.5k for each installed billboard from Pacific // 8 billboards

4k for artists // 500 to each artist selected // 8 artists will be selected

$1,500 for 3 curators // 500 each

 

Curated by Salomée Souag , founder of Expression Against Oppression, Bernadette Little , and Xiuhtezcatl .

--

We’ve been told to stay silent,
To blend in,
To sit down and listen,
To not take up too much space,
Play a role.

 

Our time is now,
Time to be loud,
Bold,

Unapologetic about taking up space.
We are here to reclaim what’s ours.
This city needs us more than ever before.
Our voice, our vision has power.
It holds the power of a thousand ancestors and warriors.

 

This is art for the revolution, art for change. It brings power to the people. Power to the creatives, power to the youth.
It is more than a billboard or a mural, each space is a deep story, a struggle, a history, a celebration, a fight.
This is our fight for justice, for equality, for Black and brown liberation.

 

We have to make write and draw our own narrative.
Growing up, we didn’t see ourselves as the people who inspired us.
We have to be the inspiration, the pioneers, and the creators.

 

This is an expression against oppression.

--

Founded in 2015, SaveArtSpace is a non-profit organization that works to create an urban gallery experience, launching exhibitions that address intersectional themes and foster a progressive message of social change. By placing culture over commercialism, SaveArtSpace aims to empower artists from all walks of life and inspire a new generation of young creatives and activists.