have a seat

When someone joins a meeting or a meal already in progress, we usually say “have a seat,” or “pull up a chair.”

At a time when our libraries, schools, universities, museums and constitution are under attack, it is important that we remember to include each other. Recognizing and celebrating the humanity in all of us is the best defense against hate, marginalization, and disenfranchisement.

This series grew out of a piece I created for A Seat at Our Table at 731 Designs Gallery in Pacifica, CA. Olga Muñoz, curator, conceived of the show in response to the rampant exclusion and negation of whole communities by Presidential fiat. I was inspired by the quote from the groundbreaking Representative, Shirley Chisolm, “If they don’t have a seat for you at the table, bring a folding chair.”

To me, the folding chair represents community. It is how we gather in church or temple basements, community centers, libraries, and backyard barbeques. This is where we make a point to be together, to find common ground and assert our collective desire to make and do better.

The chair is mobile; it can adapt, be carried, moved, adjusted in its formation to accommodate the needs of the group. We can easily move to include one (an)other, scraping the floor as we shuffle and shift.