Barrie Cline

Barrie Cline-A Rite for Regeneration (IOU) Dimensions variable, 2021, Ceramic, coal, and mixed media. Additional ceramic objects ( cast pliers and large pliers plaque) made by Paul Vance

Rebecca A. Carlton- Work for a Living World (4X12ft), 2021, Acrylic on recycled dropcloth

Ashly DaCosta- What Do You Think is Missing in Discussions Regarding the Climate Crisis?, 2021, Audio Recording. (5:42 minutes)

DESCRIPTION

The climate crisis, scientists tell us, requires immediate action. The artists who collaborated on this installation have ties to organized labor and propose that the working-class presence ...past and possible future be conjured to build movement in respect to this immediacy. 

A landscape featuring rolling green hills, the ocean, wind turbines, and a small town in the valley is foregrounded by the white outlines of men and women in construction gear who flank the words “WORK FOR A LIVING PLANET”.

In front of the mural are three sculpture/vessels. The first two reprise actual monuments to fallen workers in their fight to organize for safer working conditions the 8 hour day. The third depicts two tree stumps joined together by their roots with the words “WORKER” and “NATURE” inscribed on each one. Two wind turbines and a sound recording emanate from the tree stumps. Mementos, some like the kind left at the actual sites are strewn in front of each vessel/sculpture.

ARTIST(S) BIO

Barrie Cline is art faculty at the Harry Van Arsdale Jr. School of Labor Studies where she teaches union construction workers. Over the years, she has developed several public art projects platforming the work, leading to the formation of the Workers Art Coalition, a collective that works collaboratively to increase blue collar presence, cross-class alliance and cultural expression in the public sphere as well as exploring ways art might have a greater role in the labor movement. For SHIFT Cline has continued the collaboration, but has sought a return to her ceramic practice. 

Rebecca A. Carlton has worked for Disney as a union scenic artist for the past decade, as well as numerous freelance projects worldwide.

Ashly DaCosta seeks making her interests in art, nature, and meaningful organizing actual commitments. Her days are spent as a union sheet metal apprentice with welder aspirations.

Paul Vance is a union electrician and artist and longtime member of WAC. He recently has begun a ceramic practice.