FL3TCH3R exhibit juror calls for youth to “wake up”

From Oct. 3 to Dec. 9, ETSU’s Reece Museum will present the international “FL3TCH3R Exhibit: Social & Politically Engaged Art,” which expresses multiple social and political movements based around the world.

This year will be the 10th year anniversary of the event with Wesam Mazhar Haddad as the juror. Haddad picked a special handful of 92 pieces from around 300 submissions, searching for diversity and range as well as ideology.

This year’s exhibition specifically depicted the protection of human rights which included women’s rights, gun violence reform and the invasion of Ukraine.

Pieces expressed tragic scenarios such as school shootings, the control of women’s bodies, government tyranny and political as well as social justice, including extravagant pieces such as Robert Sherer’s painting “A Stilled-Life Arrangement,” which was painted with HIV+ and HIV- blood.

“This exhibition in specific is really focused on social and political aspects and to give the people the voices that they need to raise their concerns,” Haddad said.

In light of current issues affecting overseas countries and the U.S., Haddad’s chosen pieces reflect the state our world. He described it as if we are moving backward with every step we try to take forward.

“We are supposed to be on the moon now, or on another planet, but on the contrary, we can’t fulfill the basic human rights,” said Haddad.

With 25 years of experience in the artistic and directive field, Haddad visits colleges and schools to spread awareness of the society they are living in, vitalizing them not to turn a blind eye to the corruption around them.

“I do encourage everyone, regardless of their background, regardless of their domain or line of business, to start talking about these things,” Haddad said, “because we can’t remain silent.”

To learn more about Haddad’s ideologies and business, visit his website at wesamhaddad.com. To learn more about the FL3TCH3R Exhibition, visit their page at fl3tch3rexhibit.com.