“I HOPE MY EXHIBIT KEEPS STUDENTS WARM EVEN WHEN IT’S COLD.” -Jay Katelansky, MFA Graduate from UW-Madison
In spite of these disparities, her art doesn’t complain.
The ethereal effect highlights the nature of art itself, being able to in uence surroundings in a subtle way. Katelansky believes art has a way of existing in a space and allowing people to take away what feels natural to them. Though she doesn’t think it is any less aggressive than other approaches, art can provide a visual experience that doesn’t overwhelm or threaten the viewer. “When it’s done right, art can be extremely approachable for people of all different backgrounds,” she says. “It’s a little more understated than like Facebook or rallies and protests. Those things can really overwhelm some personalities and so it’s not accessible to those types of people. Art just is. It allows you to confront it on your terms.” The inclusiveness of art could be why a Caucasian security guard approached Katelansky after seeing the exhibit. He told her he found himself relating to her work much more than he’d expected to and understanding the importance of her message. lansky
“I’m trying to create joy,” she says. “Black people have to keep joy in a place that can get sucked out of us.” Traumas have a long history of producing collective expressions of joy. It shifts the focus from blacks as victim to blacks as survivors. That’s why her exhibit displays a video of two black women laughing together. “We still laugh,” Katelansky says. “We laugh and have happiness. That’s a strength of its own.” A quality of art “The softest parts are black” reads one of 170 screen prints that cover a wall of Hoodwinked. The white letters are on yellow and brown backgrounds, coming together to create an unassuming glow that warms the entire room.
“ART CAN BE EXTREMELY APPROACHABLE FOR PEOPLE OF ALL DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS.” -Jay Katelansky
SOCIAL JUSTICE
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