Existance is Resistance Opening Reception

Existence is Resistance: Sex workers and Sex Trafficking Survivors on violence

Existence is resistance is a key principle in social justice work, which states that among other things, healing is a critical component to reclaiming space once dominated by the oppressor. This exhibition is inspired by the curator Laura LeMoon’s work to unfurl violence against people in the sex trade through her photography series around the issue of the Seattle area Green River killings, which has already shown in NYC, London, and Tokyo and is soon to show in San Francisco, Athens, Greece and Amsterdam. Existence is Resistance is a group show of an amalgamation of sex worker and survivor artists that brings space and healing to these communities from the complex ways violence is inflicted upon people in the sex trade; from the macular level of systemic oppression and police violence to the individual level.

Existence is Resistance brings the viewer to think about life and death and how institutional and individual violence impact the stories of sex workers and survivors. Examples of photographers past and present who have engaged in similar aims for their communities include HIV/AIDS activists and artists David Wojnarowicz and Peter Hujar, as well as punk community photographer Nan Goldin.

Please mark your calendars and come join us at our opening celebration, Thursday April 3rd from 5-8pm at Gallery Erato in Seattle. This exhibit will be on display April 3 through May 10.