STEPS TOWARD JUSTICE
Artis Lane's Portraits of Rosa Parks
DETROIT, MI August 18, 2021 – Collected Detroit presents a new exhibition, Steps toward Justice: Artis Lane’s Portraits of Rosa Parks, opening on September 11 and running through October 23. The exhibition features portraits of Rosa Parks by 94-year-old artist Artis Lane, who was a close friend of the Civil Rights icon and whose bronze bust of Parks was selected for President Biden’s Oval Office. A key focus of the exhibition is the intersection of art/design and social justice.
The exhibition includes multimedia imagery of Parks, ranging from paintings, sculptures, drawings, and prints to a Presidential medal. It will also address Artis Lane’s design process, exploring the ways in which she channels her personal experience/inspiration to the viewer through her art. This concept is reiterated by the artist herself, who explains: “..the fine artist is inspired not only by their gift given them but for viewers to be lifted by the person whom you admire…”
The centerpiece of “Steps toward Justice” is a sculpture of the same name showing Parks ascending the steps to the Montgomery courthouse for the bus boycott trial in 1956. However, the exhibition is intended to engage the viewer on social justice issues, both past and present. One key element in this experiential approach is a real staircase set IN the gallery and immediately BEHIND the “Steps” statue. Climbing the steps will allow attendees not only to connect with Parks/her journey but also to reflect on their own personal journey.
The exhibition runs from September 11 to October 23 and is a collaboration between three Metro Detroit arts organizations: Collected Detroit, Metropolitan Museum of Design Detroit, and Art Impact Connect. The event is an official part of the Month of Design festival, programmed by Design Core Detroit and celebrating the city’s status as an UNESCO City of Design.
Gallery Hours:
Mon through Fri 10 am - 4:30 pm
Sat 11 am - 4 pm
Please Call For Appointment
2439 4th St. Detroit, MI 48201
Ample parking in lot across the street
Artis Lane Work Photos by PD Rearick