PAPER JAM is a celebration of paper and its use in visual art as well as a collection of socially conscious compositions. Participating artists were encouraged to focus on a current social/political issue that has affected them. The result is a diverse installation of both thought-provoking statements and well-crafted, beautiful artworks.

The artists were invited primarily on the basis of being well informed on current social topics. Additionally, this group represents a variety of different visual disciplines. Nearly all the work in PAPER JAM was created specifically for this exhibition. Artists entered into a dialogue with the curator to select and develop a topical subject appropriate for this show. This approach helped prevent overlap and ensured a coherent installation of the 13 artworks. PAPER JAM features everything from lush watercolors to compositions referencing street-art picture making. This collection of new art aims to re-think the notion that socially conscious art is inherently limited to angry one-note slogans and propaganda in general.

Artworks include Thomas Broadbent's large watercolor juxtaposing two handguns, one a revolver and the other a toy pistol. Meticulously rendered in lush color, both weapons become surprisingly seductive. Aubrey Rohmer completed a series of portraits of native children while on a residency in Guatemala. The portraits are painted in a startling red pigment to highlight the urgency of the CKDnT epidemic, which is currently decimating sugarcane communities. Michael Waugh creates a large mixed media piece utilizing text from a recent congressional report on torture. David Pierce offers viewers a comparison of two examples of police headgear: one the cloth hat with visor that completes a cop's uniform and the other a more contemporary helmet/hat associated with riot gear, showing the transformation of police officer into combat soldier. Pam Butler offers her take on climate change with an extended mixed media composition using street style graphics. Patricia Fabricant has created a series of “paper dolls for the new millennium,” a commentary on apparel and appearances. Jim Torok's cartoonish Jesus image is an obvious reference to the tragedy at Charlie Hebdo in Paris.

PAPER JAM attempts to create a visual dialogue regarding current domestic and global issues. If it raises consciousness in just one viewer I will consider this exhibition a success.

Artists including in the exhibition: Phil Beuhler, Thomas Broadbent, Pam Butler, Jane Dickson, Elise Engler, Patricia Fabricant, Eve Andre Laramee, Ellie Murphy, David Pierce, Aubrey Roemer, Jim Torok, Michael Waugh

eyewash is an independent migratory gallery founded by Larry Walczak in 1997 in a tenement building in Williamsburg, Bklyn.

eyewash has organized exhibitions in Brooklyn, Manhattan, Newark, Philadelphia, Gent, Belgium and Berlin.

This exhibition is curated by Larry Walczak.