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Pitroda Art is pleased to present the first public installation of artwork by 15 artists participating in Movement: Art for Social Change, the annual juried exhibition that celebrates artists as champions of positive social change. The 14 artworks, selected by a renowned jury and responding to the theme of racial justice and equity, will be projected at 900 Black Lives Matter Plz NW in Washington, D.C., the site of the two-block-long “Black Lives Matter” mural, on May 13, in collaboration with the DC Department of Public Works MuralsDC program.

In addition, on May 20, Pitroda Art will launch an auction of the selected artworks in partnership with Mastercard on its Priceless.com platform, closing on June 23, with a portion of the purchase price donated to the National Urban League.

Àsìkò (United Kingdom), I Can't Breathe, 2020, Photographic (Limited Edition Print), 32 x 40 in., Courtesy of the artist and Pitroda Art.
Àsìkò (United Kingdom), I Can't Breathe, 2020, Photographic (Limited Edition Print), 32 x 40 in., Courtesy of the artist and Pitroda Art.

Over 500 entries from 175 artists in 33 countries were sent In response to Pitroda Art’s open call in 2020. The 14 artworks, selected by a panel of jurors composed of Aaron Bryant, Adenrele Sonariwo, Dexter Wimberly and Nancee Lyons, represent poignant, timely interpretations of Black history, racial identity and the current realities of the Black diaspora. Backed by the Washington, D.C. municipality and in collaboration with the DC Department of Public Works MuralsDC program, an initiative dedicated to creating murals across the walls of the District of Columbia, the projection provides emerging and mid-career artists a unique opportunity to showcase their work to the public.

Antoine Williams (USA), Othered Suns, 2020, Ink on Vellum, 18.5 x 26 in., Courtesy of the artist and Pitroda Art.
Antoine Williams (USA), Othered Suns, 2020, Ink on Vellum, 18.5 x 26 in., Courtesy of the artist and Pitroda Art.

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS

Antoine Williams (USA), Àsìkò (UK), Heather Haynes (Canada), Kadiejra O'Neal (Barbados), Lloyd Foster (USA), Mark Wilson (USA) and Paola Zarate (USA), Nombuso Dowelani (South Africa), Paul Ogunlesi (Nigeria), Penda Diakité (USA-Mali), Rohan Patrick (USA), Segun Aiyesan (Nigeria), Tim Davis (USA), Tsoku Maela (South Africa), Winfred Nana Amoah (Ghana).

Projections onto the iconic structures of four other U.S. cities will follow: in Atlanta (May 20), Los Angeles (May 27), Chicago (June 17), and New York City (June 21).

Heather Haynes (Canada), Universal Language, 2021, Mixed Media, 72 x 40 in., Courtesy of the artist and Pitroda Art.
Heather Haynes (Canada), Universal Language, 2021, Mixed Media, 72 x 40 in., Courtesy of the artist and Pitroda Art.

Pitroda Art is a social enterprise that promotes global contemporary art through curated collections. It was founded by passionate art lovers from three different continents, Sam Pitroda (India/USA), Sonja Miokovic (Serbia/Canada) and Carolina Pozo (Ecuador/USA). Their initiative Movement: Art for Social Change features quarterly curated art collections that explore pressing social issues around the world.

The DC Department of Public Works MuralsDC program was created in 2007 to replace illegal graffiti with artistic works, revitalize sites within communities in the District of Columbia, and to teach young, aspiring artists the art of aerosol painting. This initiative aims to positively engage District youth by teaching proper professional art techniques, providing supplies, and a legal means to practice and perform their artistic skill in a way that promotes respect for public and private property and community awareness.

Rohan Patrick (USA), Father and Child, 2020, Digital art (Limited Edition Print), 11 x 8.5 in., Courtesy of the artist and Pitroda Art.
Rohan Patrick (USA), Father and Child, 2020, Digital art (Limited Edition Print), 11 x 8.5 in., Courtesy of the artist and Pitroda Art.