NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) and Justseeds Artists’ Cooperative will showcase the work of over 30 artists in an outdoor mural installation with live screen-printing at EXPO CHICAGO from April 7-10. This partnership will harness the power of art to spotlight key environmental issues facing communities, including: climate change, biodiversity, fossil fuels, safe drinking water, and environmental justice. By partnering with a justice-based, worker-owned artist cooperative at Chicago’s largest commercial art fair, the collaboration will ask visitors to think critically about the role that art plays in disrupting normative systems that perpetuate injustice, and inequality.
“We’re excited to work with this incredible group of socially, politically and environmentally engaged artists,” said Elizabeth Corr, Associate Director of Arts & Cultural Partnerships at NRDC. “EXPO takes place during Earth Month this year and we hope our collaboration will motivate viewers to think critically about the impacts of climate change and to recognize the vital role artists and culture makers play in creating lasting social change.”
“Art allows us to connect with crucial struggles happening in our communities and around the world, while also illuminating collective future possibilities,” said Andrea Narno, a member of Justseeds Artists’ Cooperative. “We are hoping that the variety of artists’ visions showcased in this collaboration will help encourage EXPO visitors to view our fast changing world with a critical eye and motivate them to take action.”
“We are thrilled to be back at Navy Pier for our 9th iteration of EXPO and that NRDC will be returning as a special exhibitions partner,” said Tony Karman, President | Director of EXPO CHICAGO. “I know our visitors will be inspired by the diverse perspectives represented by the Justseeds Artists and their inspiring work calling for urgent climate action.”
The dynamic installation will evolve daily, featuring new works, as well as selections from Justseeds Artists’ Cooperative robust archive of protest prints and ephemera. Newly commissioned work from Justseeds Artists’ include: William Estrada, Molly Fair, Sarah Farahat, Aaron Hughes, Sanya Hyland, Andrea Narno, Roger Peet, Pete Railand, Erik Ruin and Monica Trinidad, as well as local allies Carlos Barberena, Kahari Black, and Grae Rosa.
The interactive installation will be located at Navy Pier (Entry 2 turnabout) just east of the Sable Hotel entrance.