The Ground Upon Which We Stand

Seventy-eight artists speak out about the sacredness of the land and the importance of standing your ground in this era of climate change in "The Ground Upon Which We Stand." In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, broken climate accord agreements, and the consequences of record-breaking heat, this show examines artists' reactions to the existential crisis of our time: global degradation. "The Ground Upon Which We Stand" also shines a spotlight on women's identities and their embodied experiences with Planet Earth. With works represented in all media, "The Ground Upon Which We Stand" offers messages to and from the planet through the artists' examinations of nature, environmental pressures, society, and the fate of our only home, Planet Earth. The artworks engage on many levels - wonder, worry, hopefulness. Some of the exhibit's artists clearly oppose technology-industry-capitalism-globalization and advocate for a simpler way of life or a return to ancestral lifeways. Alternatively, some portray technology and globalization as compatible with environmental integrity, envisioning a future that ends pollution, overcrowding, and the extinction of species. Echoing Greta Thunberg's call to action, "The Ground Upon Which We Stand" stresses that there is no plan B nor planet B and that the well-being of our planet is intricately interwoven with our own.This regional juried exhibition is sponsored by the Northern California Women's Caucus for Art and hosted by Abrams Claghorn Gallery in Albany, CA. Due to the whirlwind of uncertainty caused by COVID-19, "The Ground Upon Which We Stand" transformed into a compelling online experience hosted by both ncwca.org and abramsclaghorngallery.com. Jurors: Elizabeth Addison, NCWCA Exhibitions Chair; Robert Abrams Owner, Abrams Claghorn Gallery; Natalie Borges, Gallery Manager, Abrams Claghorn Gallery