Implicit Bias – Seeing the Other: Seeing Our Self

IMPLICIT BIAS – Seeing the Other: Seeing Our Self is a multi-site exhibition presented by the Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery at Smith Center for Healing and the Arts and Busboys and Poets. The exhibition seeks to explore the unconscious racial bias that affects our decisions, choices, friends and beliefs about others. The growing body of social science research suggests that each of us harbors unconscious beliefs and values about race (as well as gender, age, etc.) that are often at odds with our conscious beliefs about our values.

The exhibition runs September 18 – December 4, 2015 at two locations: Joan Hisaoka Gallery (1632 U Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009) and Busboys and Poets (14th and V Street NW, Washington, DC 20009). The exhibition is open to artists from the Washington, DC Greater Metropolitan area, Virginia and Maryland. Jurors are Shanti Norris and Carol Dyson. The application deadline is August 20th, 2015 at midnight EST with a $5.00 entry fee.

Work must address issues of racial disparity in our country or help visualize what an equitable future might look like. Work can address the need for greater self-awareness about biases, beliefs and consequent actions, or extend to more prevalent matters such as injustice in all its forms including police, judicial, education, voting rights and urban planning. Artists may submit 1-5 images, 0-5 audio files, and 0-5 video files (5 total samples maximum). At Joan Hisaoka Gallery, work must fit through doors measuring 35"x78" (front) or 40"x80" (rear loading area). Gallery ceiling height is 118". The outdoor courtyard is approximately 16 ft by 18 ft with a loose stone floor. At Busboys and Poets, all artwork must be framed, wired and ready to hang; small sculpture will be considered. Artists are solely responsible for delivery and installation of accepted work. Joan Hisaoka Gallery insures works on-site for the duration of the exhibition; transportation insurance is the responsibility of the artist.