Bio.
Lori Crawford is a professional artist and arts educator. She is an Associate Professor of Art at Delaware State University where she has been teaching for over 25 years. Her primary area of focus in teaching is Computer Graphics. The secondary teaching areas are African American Art History and Gender Studies. Lori Crawford earned her Bachelor of Arts from Morehead State University, and was the first African-American female student to earn a Master of Fine Arts in Computer Art from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 1996. Crawford’s work has been exhibited extensively throughout the country including solo exhibitions at the Biggs Museum of American Art, The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and venues in Syracuse, NY, Gettysburg, PA, and Washington, DC. International showings include 4 locations in Ghana, West Africa, and The University of the Arts London: Central St. Martins. Juried, group exhibitions are extensive and varied having earned numerous Best In Medium Awards and Special Recognitions. In 2021 Crawford was awarded an Artist Relief Project grant funded by the NEA. Her work can be found in the collections of Paul Jones, Donald Byrd, McNeese State University, Baton Rouge Community College and other public and private collections.
Abstract
Art, in its many forms, has been known to be a cathartic release of emotions brought about by historical traumas. It may even be a celebratory demonstration one may feel having survived a lifetime of mishaps and misgivings. This work will explore the need for a newly coined phrase “Art Too,” a play on the hashtag #MeToo social movement which gave voice and credence to victims of rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment. Similarly, “#ArtToo” can be a platform to discuss works of art that best reflects our sentiment to demonstrate that we are not alone. If art imitates life then there is a plethora of work from which we can draw inspiration. Words often fall short when expressing multi-layered experiences. But imagery, whether actual or implied, says much more. To unpack this theme, I analyzed works from seven visual artists, including Artemisia Gentileschi, Elizabeth Catlett, and Shirin Neshat as well as revisiting one of my own artworks to dissect the contextual trauma and sometimes pride which birthed these creations.
When Words Are Not Enough, #ArtToo, Can Reinvigorate:
A Fellow Artist Reflects On the Power of Art by Women Artists
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