'Social Security' Opens 6/3 at Kirkland Arts Center

Social Security is an exhibition of current artwork by a loosely affiliated group of prominent, mid-career and emerging Northwest artists who share visual theorist Nicholas Mirzoeff's position that politics are embedded in every aspect of contemporary culture.

As an art practice, these artists habitually and unabashedly uncover, illuminate and satirize social issues while exploring the relationship between art and politics. Often, these artists will examine political topics through the lens of American icons, such as the dollar bill and the color combination of red, white, and blue.

This exhibition includes Bill Whipple's cranky wall-mounted kinetic wood sculptures, Lauren Grossman's sculptural meditations on political power using glass, steel, iron, and lead, as well as the cunning and controversial porcelain objects slip cast by Charles Krafft. Through the lens of the class system, The Game of LIFE installation by Lara Kaminsky, Tina Russell, and Jessie Wilson forces a 20th century game to address the realities of 21st century America. Other historic icons are challenged in Deborah F. Lawrence's retelling of the Preamble to the Constitution, in addition to Kevin Wildermuth's elaborate graphic rendering of war expenses on the front and back of a 27.7 billion dollar bill. Also represented are Pam Keeley's epic and subtle Trust Me drawing and a selection from Lou Cabeen's book series about mountain top removal mining in Appalachia. Two new paintings by John Feodorov will also be featured in the exhibition, each addressing the title of Emergence in different ways.