The Norwalk Art Space is proud to announce its next exhibition, “American Iconography” with Korry Fellow Tara Blackwell and invited artist Cal Bocicault. Daily life is filled with repetitive images and public figures that symbolize our time, place and shared collective history. These images are sometimes remembered fondly through our childhood lenses, while others may have altered our perceptions of the neighbor next door. This exhibition explores the power of imagery as a vessel to create change in our collective futures. Here we have two distinctly different artists that use iconic American imagery to reference and push the boundaries of feminism, social justice and African American identity.

Tara Blackwell, a Korry Fellow at The Norwalk Art Space, uses nostalgic cartoons and icons from her youth to focus her viewer’s attention on what is familiar and “sweet.” These wistful images then become the stage for her discourse on national social movements that demand attention. Her light-hearted imagery keeps her work consumable and engaging, while it simultaneously dissects the complex and emotionally-charged conflicts in our society today. Cal Bocicault, on the other hand, tries to push back on historical black stereotypes and images by using himself, his family and friends as vessels to contextualize true black identity today. These highly stylized portraits are part of a concerted effort by him and many other artists, musicians, poets and performers to finally break the old and delusional visions of what it is to be a black man or woman in American society. Cal’s artwork honors the full spectrum of beauty in African American culture.