Reflections, Artists Bridge the Gap 4

We were sitting around the table discussing logistics for Artists Bridge the Gap IV, when the first piece of backlash appeared on the Facebook event page. “Are you crazy?” the irate commenter asked us. He could not understand why Red Room would choose to support a small segment of the population, that segment being LGBTQ+ refugees, over another, larger group*. He accused us of ignoring the more dire needs of children, women, and men in order to be politically correct.

We always knew our choice would be controversial. We understood that the success of our event depended not just on our ability to coordinate with each other well, and choose refreshing activities, but on our ability to educate and enable people to empathize with situations far removed from their own experiences.

Still, that first comment stung, so I was grateful to look around the table and see the resolve of the coordinators harden rather than disappear. “That’s okay,” one of them said. “We’re doing the right thing. I’m not worried because we’re doing the right thing.”

Sometimes the “right thing” is not the most popular or expedient thing. Having determined that, we reinvigorated our efforts. This event, we decided, would emphasize our shared humanity through seeking out those who are overlooked and ignored and providing them a platform to speak and with resources to thrive.
*videos, plays, support of LGBT community, comics. That so few people knew or understood the importance of our cause made it more salient.

Fortunately, we found support within the artistic community, the LGBT community and through a number of sponsors (whom were often part of one community or another). Haha Tai and the International Queer Film Festival in Taipei offered a significant sponsorship and a great deal of encouragement. Another sponsor, the Winkler Partners, proved enthusiastic supporters of the cause. Bai Win Antiques, an established supporter of the arts and of Red Room, stood steadfastly by the team. The Escape Artist, another seasoned partner of Red Room, proffered canvases and easels as they have during live art events in the past.

A cadre of artists, musicians, and dancers contributed their time, talent and passion to help Red Room realize this event and, more importantly, to buttress Red Room’s efforts to demonstrate art’s ability to connect people and bring about impactful change in our world. Magnolia La Manga, Mangelica, Bouncy Babs, Fei Fain performed at Artists Bridge the Gap IV and promoted the event and the cause widely. They invited us to events and venues, organized supplemental fundraisers at Cafe Dalida (which very graciously sponsored us as well), and invigorated us with their passion and commitment. Billy Chang proffered his voice and his dancing, bringing people together with his ebullience and grace.

Kara Linkonis inking of an educational comic I co-wrote with her, Breaking Barriers, added substance, character, and a striking poignancy that could not have been achieved without her commitment to her craft. A story was produced that hopefully addressed the vivid experiences of LGBTQ+ refugees with the respect they deserve as human beings. Members of All’s Well Theatre wrote and performed moving accounts of refugee’s experiences. High schoolers in America dedicated themselves to raising money in their hometown through designing post cards, posters and a T-shirt.

There are so many more people who deserve thanks for bringing Artists Bridge the Gap IV into fruition that I cannot possibly name. Truly, the support which overflowed from communities in Taiwan and elsewhere buoyed us through thousands of minute details and second guessing, and hundreds of passionate debates, and tens of setbacks. Perhaps, however, what motivated me even more was the semi-weekly meetings with the organizers and benficiaries In Leipzig, Germany. The Project Artists Bridge the Gap IV benefitted, Queer Refugees Network, Leipzig, is run largely through the dedication of volunteers and workers at Rosalinde Leipzig e.V. When I skyped with them, they relayed. During meetings they would open maps and search for ‘Taiwan’ and express disbelief in the decision for a community an ocean away to help them establish a new life. I was thrilled to hear about one beneficiaries plan to become a fashion designer, or another’s to learn German or a third’s to finally have discovered a setting where they could openly be themselves. This is what the funds we raised would be used for. They would pay for tangible goods like food, shelter, books, of course, but with these come a host of intangible benefits. These funds would enable QueeRNL to continue creating a network, a safe space and an opportunity to succeed.

Knowing that all of this hard work might have resulted in the realization of someone’s dream, might have created opportunities for those who have been denied them, has carried me through every doubt, every negative comment and every painstaking re-explanation. I can honestly say that working with Red Room, QueeRNL and the amazing people in Taiwan has truly been a transformative experience. One might even say, to echo my teammate, that it was the right thing to do.

*If you have questions about why Red Room chose to support this cause, you should visit the FAQ page we wrote to help explain!

by Leah List

茶會 Vernissage: Sunday June 19th 2016

Vernissage:
Date: Sunday June 19th
Time: 4PM – 6PM
Discussion Panel 4:30PM – 5PM
Entry: One drink minimum to support Art Charity Invisible Salon

(English Below)

我們把我們5/29號的藝術活動-ABTG IV,當天互動元素搬到行者的 [ ] 藝文沙龍來展覽,繼續傳達我們活動的任務。

已發生的ABTG IV活動資訊:
https://www.facebook.com/events/909644242466993/
已發生的ABTG IV活動資訊 For more background info on ABTG IV:
https://redroomtaipei.com/artists-bridge-the-gap-opportunity-creators/

地點: [ ] 藝文沙龍-樓下咖啡
台北市台北市大安區安東街40巷3號B1

茶會日期: 6/19
時間: 4PM – 6PM
座談:5PM – 5:30PM
入場費: 抵銷一杯飲料,支持藝文沙龍

座談話題: 用台灣的觀點看LGBTQ問題

座談演講人:
酸六
飛帆
Yu’an Huang

座談內容:
代表在媒體和公共視線的文化影響和社會的關聯
性別表達的自由
變裝皇后文化的定位

本展覽時期: 6/15 – 7/2 「 12PM – 9PM開放 」

展覽內容:
「看」照片記憶,ABTG社群塗鴉作品,衣服,特別製作的西莉亞災民真實故事漫畫藝術,20多關於災難的文章及新聞
「互動」感恩牆,寫信(之後我們會寄給德國的組織跟災民分享),茶會現場畫畫,座談。

IMG_1406Red Room International Village & Invisible Salon Art Charity presents:

Interactive aspects of our May 29th all-day live arts event, ABTG IV, have been moved to this space for an extended exhibition to continue the conversation for the mission and message.

For more background info on ABTG IV:
https://www.facebook.com/events/909644242466993/

Exhibition Location: Invisible Salon – Basement Cafe
AnDong Street Lane 40 No 3 Basement

Vernissage (Opening Gathering):
Date: Sunday June 19th
Time: 4PM – 6PM
Discussion Panel 5PM – 5:30PM
Entry: One drink minimum to support Art Charity Invisible Salon

Discussion Panel: LGBT Issues from Taiwanese Perspectives

Guests:
酸六 (Cross Gender Taiwanese Net Star)
飛帆 (Drag Queen based in Taipei)
Yu’an Huang (Artist & Curator)

Discussion Panel will cover such topics as:
– The Cultural Impact and Societal Relevance of LGBT Representation in the Public Sphere & Mass Media
– Freedom of Gender Expression
– The Role of Drag Culture

Exhibition Dates and Hours: June 15th – July 2nd 「 12PM – 9PM 」

Exhibit Content:

[EXPERIENCE] Photographic memories from event, the community art piece we created at ABTG, clothing, comic book “Breaking Barriers” we produced especially for ABTG based on real stories sent to us from Syrian Refugees, and over 20 curated news articles to learn more about the current issue.

[PARTICIPATE] Gratitude Wall, Postcard Writing Station (we will send these to the organization we are collaborating with in Germany so they can share them with the Refugees) Vernissage and interactive painting, discussion panel.

_____________________________________________

https://www.facebook.com/Art.Charity.Education/?fref=ts
已發生的ABTG IV活動資訊 For more background info on ABTG IV:
https://redroomtaipei.com/artists-bridge-the-gap-opportunity-creators/


VISUAL DIALOGUES 藝術對畫 II between people, spaces and ideas. Two artists from different cultures will be featured in a monthly art show at the Red Room International Village, opening on the first Sunday of each month.
紅房會邀請兩位分別來自西洋及東方的藝術家來展出他們的作品,讓藝術氣息繚繞在紅房國際村的樑柱之間。 在每月的第一個週日,邀請您們一同享受創意與空間的對談。

5 June 2016, Visual Dialogues ABTG4

The Visual Dialogues ABTG4 Gallery will be open for viewing until the end of June.
Gallery hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 3 pm to 7 pm.

Red Room cordially invites you to the Opening Reception of the an exhibition consisting of artworks by artists that participated in our Artists Bridge the Gap IV event on May 29th 2016.

[中文解說請耐心等待翻譯]

紅房畫廊六月的展覽是參與我們五月29號ABTG IV活動藝術家的聯合展。

24 artists painted live at ABTG IV, they brought 2 pieces of previous works each, which are being exhibited at the Red Room Gallery for the month of June. The artists themselves will be present at the OPENING RECEPTION, as well as major players and team members involved with ABTG IV.

Please join us in celebrating ABTG IV, and taking this wonderful opportunity to get to know the artists themselves.

當天的藝術家每個人有帶來他們之前所創作的兩樣作品,歡迎大家來看看,跟深刻的了解他們的風格,也認識一下這些很棒的藝術家們!

Event page for ABTG IV in case you missed it
五月二十九號的活動頁:
https://www.facebook.com/events/909644242466993/
– Opening Reception 展覽開幕茶會-

Date: 6/5/2016, Sunday 日,下午 3-7PM
Address: Red Room International Artists Village 紅房國際藝術村
Jianguo South Rd Section 1 No 177 建國南路一段177號
Entry: Free to all 免費入場

Snacks and refreshments will be provided. 招待飲料及點心

Hope to see you there!
星期日見!

ABTG4:詹晴棻個人照

ABTG4: Joshua Lance

Chinese_Baby_From_Woyang_Village

I’ve dedicated my life to creating beautiful, vibrant artwork capturing the essence of my world for the past 25 years.  Art has given me salvation in my darkest moments.  Art explains the truth who I am, what I’m going through.  Art helps me feel I’m worth something.  A new hope for self-reliance.  I want to leave something precious, a unique imprint from my soul to the world that may need a little hope too.  Art reaffirms what’s real and authentic.

That’s why I still paint.  I equally enjoy landscapes and portraits.  I find it helps me to savor the moments and realize there’s so much life to explore beyond our busy lives.  The real value of art helps your soul reconnect with your world around you.  And it reminds me that time is precious and art captures the essence perfectly.

I enjoy painting using a limited palette of primary colors.  I enjoy its simplicity.  It helps keep me focused and the painting harmonious.  Colors are the musical notes I help compose a painting with.  Colors and brush strokes reflect my emotional state at that point and I’ve learned to trust it.  And learned to honor it.  It’s taken many years to trust the process.  And I’m proud to be a hard-working student and teacher.  There’s always so much to learn, and painting is learning about yourself and life within you and around you.  I also think it’s important to pass your knowledge on to others, and I have such joy passing what I have learned to other painters and enthusiasts.

I was born and raised in New Jersey.  I relocated to Santa Fe, New Mexico in 2006 to pursue my art career.  I have been blessed to work and live in New Mexico for many years and it’s had a profound effect on my life and work to this day.  In 2012, I moved to Korea, then Taiwan where I continue painting the zen of life, as well as teaching art and English.

Joshualance.com

walking in juifen

ABTG4: Singtone Liu

_MG_0002Singtone Liu, will be joining us in creating beautiful works for a good cause at ABTG IV : Artists Bridge the Gap 藝術銜接橋樑 (四年慶)!
介紹一下劉星彤, 她會加入我們當天的活動,在現場畫畫。請大家多多支持!”當過收營員、發傳單的、早餐店小妹,現職為彩妝師。憑感覺作畫,畫的是世界帶給我的各種感受:憤怒煩躁不安,空虛孤單悲傷,歡愉瘋狂荒謬……。”

FB_IMG_1464089882817

ABTG4: Pine Napat

napat-photo-1Napat Inkapairoj is a visual artist and a lifetime animal lover. Originally from Bangkok.
(review more comprehensive selection of my work please visit facebook page : PINE NAPAT)

Group Exhibitions
2009 : Annual Drawing Exhibition, Chulalongkorn University
2010 : “wi tee tassana” Nan National museum, Nan, Thailand
2012 : “Visual Infinite Exhibition” University Museum Building, Chulalongkorn University
2012 : “Inside Chanburi Exhibition” University Museum Building, Chulalongkorn University
013 : “Halo Art Thesis Exhibition”, Chamjuree Art gallery

Solo Exhibitions
2014 : “I do as I please” Sudrit art gallery, Nan, Thailand. Charity project for animals shelter in need.
2014 : “Cats” Baan Prabat gallery, Saraburi, Thailand. Charity for animals shelter in need.
Education 2013 Faculty of Fine and Applieds art Chulalongkorn University, Major in painting
2013 Faculty of Fine and Applieds art Chulalongkorn University, Major in painting.
Now studying in International Master program of Cultural and Creative Industries, Taipei University of the Arts (臺北藝術⼤大)
napat-1s

napat-resume-4s

ABTG4: FeiFain Wang

 

FeiFainFeiFain Wang is an artist based in Taipei. In addition to creating art and illustrations, FeiFain does drag shows, performances and theater.

FeiFain