An expansive exhibit displaying protest art inspired by the death of George Floyd, which has touched the hearts of many, has opened its doors at the Arizona State University Art Museum, as reported by ABC15. The display titled "Twin Flames: The George Floyd Uprising from Minneapolis to Phoenix" features roughly 500 artifacts left by protesters and mourners at the scene of Floyd's death.
"It's an important part of history that they are not learning in school," Leah Hall of Phoenix, who visited the exhibit with her children, told ABC15. Artifacts include hastily created signs shouting "Justice 4 Floyd" and "Enough is Enough," as well as paintings and poems that articulate the urgency and grief felt nationwide.
These pieces of art not only signify the individual and collective sorrow but also a resolute stand against the systemic injustices that continue to overshadow the lives of Black Americans. Brittany Corrales, a curator at the museum, emphasized the alignment of this exhibit with their mission to highlight creativity in art in the service of social good, according to a ABC15 interview.
Furthermore, Rashad Shabazz, a board member at ASU’s Center for Work and Democracy, pointed out the historical significance of bringing the artifacts to Phoenix, noting a history of police violence dating back to the early 20th century, as explained in an interview with US News. The exhibit also brings attention to the parallels between Floyd's case and that of Dion Johnson, a Black man fatally shot by an Arizona state trooper on the same day.
The George Floyd Global Memorial, the organization responsible for maintaining the collection, aims to foster understanding, civil discourse, and action against pervasive systemic inequities, Jeanelle Austin, the director of the memorial, as mentioned in a statement to ABC15. Additionally, family members of Floyd were amongst the visitors who experienced the emotional depth of the exhibit firsthand. Angela Harrelson, Floyd's aunt, told US News that she felt "overwhelmed, but in a good way" upon seeing the art.
This significant cultural display will reside in Phoenix before the organizers hope to tour it to other cities, extending the reach of its powerful message in memory of George Floyd and in protest against racial injustice.
