Exhibition: Art for Inclusion, Diversity and Identity

Exhibition: Art for Inclusion, Diversity and Identity

In collaboration with CEA

The 2023 Critical Edge Alliance conference was hosted by Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane, Morocco.

The CEA’s sixth annual conference discussed the role and implementation of values in and for universities through the critical lens of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Inspired by this theme, the CEA and ERUA student groups decided to organize a collaborative exhibition, in order to give artists from all over the world a unique platform to share their art and enhance their voices on global issues.

The goal of the exhibition is to showcase different perspectives on human rights, social justice, and experiences both of inclusion and exclusion. By displaying a diverse range of artworks from artists of various backgrounds, we hope to promote history and culture, challenge discrimination, and create a platform for marginalized groups to express themselves. Artworks from members of all universities in CEA and ERUA are presented in a hybrid format. All submitted artworks are displayed on a virtual platform, artsteps, while a few specially curated pieces have been displayed in physical form during the conference.

Depending on the issues their art presented, the artists submitted their art under the following four sub-themes:

Art for Peace and Solidarity – Voices of the Marginalized

Across the world, countless communities are facing oppression, displacement, and marginalization. And to represent and support them we present artworks that show experiences of refugees, asylum seekers, people of color, indigenous communities, and other marginalized groups.

Social Justice – At universities and beyond

Education is a right that every person must have access to, regardless of their background, gender or wealth. Universities play an important role in this but do they actually take their responsibility seriously and provide social justice? We present pieces of art that tackle these questions, propose solutions or reflect individual experiences with social (in)justice at universities.

 

Art for community

We present art pieces showcasing feelings and unique understandings of what community means and how it creates inclusion within an individual’s unique surroundings (e.g., friends, colleagues, or fellow students). 

Diversity and identity

Diversity and identity within the topic of art includes a broad spectrum of themes based on how the artists perceive themselves, allowing the viewer to gain a better understanding of other peoples’ experiences. On this note we present pieces of art that showcase the complexities of identity regarding the way we view ourselves in terms of beingness and societal roles, within everyday experience or under the circumstances of a specific situation.

You can view the exhibition in its entirety by following the link below:

CEA/ERUA Exhibition: Art for Inclusion, Diversity and Identity (artsteps)