Pink Progression: Collaborations: Grow Love and Moe Gram

'PINK PROGRESSION: COLLABORATIONS'

Part 1: 'The Nest' by Grow Love and Moe Gram

‘Womxn are the nurturers and the birth givers of the future’

By John Moore, Senior Arts Journalist

The Arvada Center has opened its first major in-person event since the COVID19 shutdown began in mid-March, the long-planned “Pink Progression: Collaborations,” running through November 8.

The exhibit, which has taken over all three of the Arvada Center's indoor galleries and spans 10,000 square feet, features more than 120 mostly Colorado-based artists of all gender identities working in groups of up to four in celebration of the upcoming 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment.

Ratified on August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment guarantees and protects women's right to vote. But this timely exhibit also explores the complex and ongoing struggle for universal suffrage in today's cultural context.

2017 Women's March. Photo by John Moore “Pink Progression” rose out of the 2017 Womxn's March (pictured at right) to inspire social change and explore ideas of feminism, equality, inclusivity, gender identity, unity, and community through creative expression. Participating artists fused their narratives into multidimensional works ranging from site-specific installations, video, performance and traditional fine arts.

“ 'Progression' refers to the hope for progress in the issues that we explore, as well as progressing away from prejudice and erroneous stereotypes,” said curator and artist Anna Kaye. In an interview with 5280 Magazine, she added: “The theme of collaboration was really important because it inspires social change. Nobody can create social change unless they have support.”

Over the next few days, we will be spotlighting four collaborating artist teams, and their contributions to "Pink Progression."

TODAY’S FEATURED COLLABORATION: 'THE NEST'

Pink Progression: Grow Love and Moe Gram

Grow Love and Moe Gram, Denver

'In times of hardship, we celebrate the ways womxn did not give up.'

Tell us about your piece: “The Nest” uses found objects, figure-painting, mixed-media collage and sculpture to prompt dialogues about exploring the infinite value of womxn through the representational layering of their story. As viewers navigate the layers of this work, we urge them to acknowledge the power of womxn, their strength, their process, their evolution, their ability to be flexible, to be resilient, to be protectors and confidants because womxn are the nurturers and the birth givers of the future.
What materials did you use? Shoes, heels, ribbon, fabric, silk piping, candle, plastic balls, silk plants, painted foliage, illustrations, child toys, blocks, panties, lingerie, mother's skirt, zippers, tape, paper, glasses, cup, spoons, plates, cooking utensils, tampons, panty liners, diapers, hair extensions, spray paint, oil pastel, baby socks, bathing-suit bottoms, fishnet stockings, mylar, faux fur … and VHS tape!
What are your themes? Womxn are magnificent beings far beyond their realized potential. Who continue to fight to be seen, to be acknowledged for the ways they keep the world alive, while simultaneously making space for their own personal growth.
What did you learn about collaboration? Our collaboration process actually has existed for more than three years. During quarantine, we were forced to be more concise with our communication and rely more so on our intuition. Through this process we learned that we work really well together and that our creative processes are highly compatible.
What does achieving "suffrage" mean to you in today’s context? Achieving suffrage is one of many ways society can elevate the voices and value of the feminine experience. We are humans with a conscience. In times of hardship, we celebrate the ways womxn did not give up. We embrace them, for their scars will become memories of our empowerment and the layers of our story. It is the essence of our grace that provides the hope we seek in this world.
What, to you, is the cumulative impact of "Pink Progression"? It’s about progress: Moving forward in favor of positive evolution. We believe this exhibition emphasizes the brilliance and power that is the feminine being.
Last words? “The Nest” is just one manifestation of the collaborative work we’ve created, and we look forward to exhibiting more pieces in future exhibitions.

John Moore was named one of the 12 most influential theater critics in the U.S. by American Theatre Magazine during his time at The Denver Post. He also is the founder of The Denver Actors Fund, and is now contributing reports on the arts community for ArvadaCenter.Org. Reach him at culturewestjohn@gmail.com.

READ THE FULL SERIES:

'PINK PROGRESSION' PARTICIPATING ARTISTS:

Deidre Adams + Brooke Atherton
Judy Anderson + Ginny Hoyle + Christopher Hecker
Theresa Anderson + Alicia Ordal + Kim Shively
Tya Alisa Anthony + Kim Putnam
Fawn Atencio + Bonnie Stolzmann + Sarah Wallace Scott
Mindy Bray + Tonia Bonnell
Trine Bumiller + Kathryn Winograd
Katie Caron + Lisa DiMichele
Irene Delka McCray + Tree Bernstein
Sally Elliott + Katie Elliott/3rd Law Dance + L. Ashwyn Corris
Corrina Espinosa + Elisa Groglio + Joanna Bugajska
Bonnie Ferrill Roman + Judy Gardner
Ashley Frazier + Becky Wareing Steele
Steven Frost + Frankie Toan
Sarah Fukami + Brooky Blunt + Nico Wilkinson
Melissa Furness + Rian Kerrane
Jennifer Ghormley + Victoria Eubanks
Ania Gola Kumor + Leah Swenson
Susan Goldstein + Gayla Lemke
Moe Gram + Grow Love
Jane Guthridge + Voices of Light Chamber Choir
Kim Harrell + Lynda Ladwig
Ana Maria Hernando + Amie Knox
Veronica Hererra + Lola Montejo
Deborah Howard + Laurel McMechan
Micaela Ironshell-Dominguez + Renee Chacon-Millard
Rochelle Johnson + Sylvia Montero
Samara Johnson + Alanna Lacey + Samantha Bares
Tsehai Johnson + Leslie D. Boyd
Margaret Kasahara + Jina Brenneman
Anna Kaye + Sarah Wallace Scott
Sammy Lee + Megan Gafford
Jessica Loving + Rachel Doniger
Marsha Mack + John Roemer
Virginia Maitland + Melanie Walker + George Peters
Julie Maren + Jessica Drenk
Laleh Mehran + Jayne Butler
Susanne Mitchell + Janelle W. Anderson
Sophie Lynn Morris + Hannah Untiedt
Jennifer Pettus + Rebecca Vaughan
Sandra Phillips + Virginia Folkestad
Julie Puma + Patricia Mclnroy
Sangeeta Reddy + Jodie Roth Cooper
Susan Rubin + Peter Illig
Martha Russo + Tina Suszynski + Anna Suszynski + Emma Hardy
Julia Rymer + Drew Austin
Dylan Scholinski + Daphne Scholinski
Sue Simon + Mark Brasuell
The Great Shout
Autumn T. Thomas + Tricia Waddell
Susan Vaho + Elaine Stires
Sherry Wiggins + Luís Filipe Branco
Kate Woodliff O’Donnell + Stacey Stormes
Belgin Yucelen + Anne Waldman + Akin Koksal