NO REST IN THE KINGDOM

 

The United States is often regarded as a nation built by immigrants – an immense “melting pot” of cultures in which differences between ethnic groups are subsumed by a greater pursuit of the “American Dream.”  This outdated and unfeasible model of America’s diversity is idealistic at best.  At worst, it promotes homogeneity through assimilation and it encourages the deliberate erasure of cultural identity in the name of nationalism.  It does not reflect the dynamics of systemic racism against, class discrimination among, or the tenuous relationships between people of color.

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No Rest in the Kingdom is a new initiative founded by mixed-media artist J. Wesley Beeks & Indian classical dancer Kiran Rajagopalan.  This multidisciplinary program aims to facilitate new conversations between disparate communities of color on issues of gender, race, and colonialism in the arts.  We intend to focus primarily on the experiences of the Afro-Latino, South Asian, Indo-Caribbean, and African-American diaspora.  How have systems of power collectively and differentially affected these communities?  How are these similarities and differences reflected in art created by artists from these communities?  How do these communities uniquely draw upon culture to cope with the collective trauma of colonialism and racism?

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In addition to addressing these crucial questions, No Rest in the Kingdom offers a novel platform for non-conventional collaborations between artists and scholars of color.  An important part of the program will be an exhibition which features artwork in a variety of disciplines including:  visual art, dance, drama, and fashion.  There will also be a public programing seminar on trauma which integrates cross-cultural psychology, anthropology, and creative art therapy.