NEW YORK, NY.- Resurgence, an art exhibit featuring work by 28 established and emerging artists, opened in the World Trade Center’s Oculus on Thursday, June 24, and runs through July 25, 2021. The show is open to the public, and many of the artists will be present to talk about their work and experience. The exhibit is on the C1 level, directly under 4 World Trade Center.
Resurgence was curated by New York City native Clayton Calvert. The featured artists address the theme of resurgence with unique voices and perspectives. They come from different backgrounds and locales, but all have works that speak to each other visually and thematically. Resurgence is an example of a group of artists coming together to make a distinct and impactful visual statement with the goal of positively impacting visitors.
“I have spent the past two years working at the World Trade Center with many of the artists featured in this exhibit,” said Clayton Calvert,
NYC Culture Club co-founder and curator of the exhibit. “Now for the first time, members of the public can see their work and meet and talk to many of them. Our goal is to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to reflect on the artwork, and on the theme of resurgence as our society emerges from the pandemic.”
Resurgence speaks to the current situation in both New York City and around the world. The art focuses on the opportunity to reshape the fabric of the society in which we live by drawing attention to the importance of culture, environment, and community.
Each artist was chosen to address various aspects of the theme: Rob Reynolds, Lionel Cruet, LeRone Wilson, Holly Lowen, Seren Morey, and Matt Moser-Clark raise environmental issues. Social justice themes are addressed in the works of Kevin Claiborne, Jason Wallace, BoogieREZ and Heather Haynes. Joe Woolhead, Todd Stone, Ricardo Arango, and Kerry Irvine all have pieces that honor work, a pivotal component in rebuilding the communities around us. Carlo Maria Mariani, Max Pellegrini, Taezoo Park, Danny Aron, Chellis Baird, Ricardo Arango and Alex Nero all speak to a shared experience and the interconnectedness between us. Ashanté Kindle, Komikka Patton, Miguel Angel Payano, and Anna Weyant have works full of intrigue and intricacy that speak to ideals of beauty but that also reach well beyond an initial aesthetic impression.
“I am honored to be able to share my painted tribute to all the workers and work done at the World Trade Center as we approach the 20th anniversary of 9/11,” said featured artist Todd Stone. “After the second tower fell, my studio was flooded by light. I have been painting the empty sky ever since. The downtown skyline is charged by what is not there as its buildings serve as a metaphor for its people’s resilience.”
Taezoo Park, an interactive media artist, said: “Everything is going digital in our lives, but I still want to keep the context of analog in my artwork. Since the pandemic, people’s way of life as well as the way they appreciate works of art are changing, so I tried to express that phenomenon in these artworks.”
3 World Trade Center resident artist Kerry Irvine said her piece The Charge was created, “After months of being forced out of my studio due to Covid. I realized the compromises I was forced to make which allowed me to take more risks with my work, and let the self doubt go. Freedom is liberating.”
“The NYC Culture Club highlights the abundant synergy present in art by openly connecting artists with their audience,” said Parker Calvert, NYC Culture Club co-founder. “As a lifelong New Yorker, the theme of Resurgence is very meaningful to me. I believe in the power of the arts and community to help us heal collectively, and build a brighter future together.”
