D-Block Gallery
March 5 – 26
Reception March 12, 6-9 pm

S.O.S. is a group traveling art exhibition showcasing artists from the states of Arizona and California programmed for display in the downtown areas of Long Beach, CA and Phoenix, AZ.  Fostering a relationship between neighboring states whose recent political disagreements stemming from legislation of Prop 1070, the exhibition seeks to explore the issues of personal and political identity, citizenship and the effects of media.

S.O.S. exhibition catalogue

S.O.S., or Save Our States, refers to a controversial bill named Prop 187 passed in 1994 by the voters of California.  The law’s aim was to prohibit illegal immigrants from receiving social services from the State of California.  After statewide protests and national threats of boycott, the law was deemed unconstitutional by then-Governor Gray Davis.

The exhibition seeks to explore the relationship between bordering states and the dynamics caused by political agendas and sensationalist media.  It is meant to be a show of solidarity in a time where partisan politics and hypocrisy overshadow neighborly concepts and civility. This mixed media exploration focuses on photography, video, performance and sculpture.

Participating artists are:

Enrique Castrejon, Jeff Chabot, Daniel Collins, Greg Esser, McLean Fahnestock,
Denis Gillingwater, Ed Gomez, Luis G. Hernandez, JEFF & GORDON, Olga Lah, Ivan Limas,
Albert Lopez Jr., Caroline Maxwell, Joe Medina, Dominic Miller, M. Jenea Sanchez,
Steve Schmidt and Arnoldo Vargas

S.O.S. is organized by Ed Gomez and April Lillard-Gomez. It is made possible by a generous mini-grant from the Ted Decker Catalyst Fund in partnership with the MexiCali Biennial, F.A.R. (Foundation for Art Resources) and Phantom Galleries Long Beach, phantomgalleriesla.com. For more information visit dblockprojects.com or email sos.ca.az@gmail.com.

D-Block Gallery
218 N. Promenade
Long Beach, CA 90802

monOrchid

214 E Roosevelt St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
monorchid.com
602-253-0339

Press contact: sos.ca.az@gmail.com