LIVING WITH WAR: WWII Comfort Women and the Legacy of Protest
The Betsy - South Beach welcome public artist Johanna Poethig and writer M. Evelina Galang, for a brainstorming event to discuss bringing the spirit of protest embodied by the Filipino “Comfort Women” of World War II to Miami. Join us as Galang and Poethig share their research, their process, and their vision of creating a traveling monument for all women who are survivors of war in its many forms. Galang and Poethig have a vision to bring this exhibition to Miami in Fall 2017. Come with your ideas.
ABOUT THE EXHIBIT
Inspired by Galang’s forthcoming Lola’s House: Filipino Women Living with War, Poethig created a prototype public art work called Songs for Women Living with War. Galang’s book, a literary nonfiction account of Filipinas forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese Army in World War II, took 20 years to research and write. It will be published by Curbstone Press in the fall. Poethig debuted the monumental gallery installation Songs of Women Living with War on October 8, 2016, at the Pro Arts gallery in Oakland, California. Other Bay Area artists were invited to present artwork, performance art, and poetry. Galang was present to read from the new book. The event drew a capacity crowd, and received favorable local press.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
M. Evelina Galang is a Professor of English and Director of Creative Writing at the University of Miami. She currently serves on the board of Voices of Our Nations Arts Foundation (VONA), the only multi-genre writing workshop for writers of color. She has been named one of the 100 most influential Filipinas in the United States and at-large by the Filipina Women’s Network. Lolas’ House: Filipino Women Living with War is scheduled for release in September, 2017.
Johanna Poethig is a visual, public artist and performance artist who has exhibited internationally and has been creating public art works, murals, paintings, sculpture and installations for over 30 years. She is currently Lead Artist for a new 9 mile transit corridor of integrated public art work for AC Transit in the East Bay. Poethig is a professor at the Visual and Public Art department at California State University, Monterey Bay.