On a recent, rainy Friday night, a nondescript, industrial warehouse space in Chicago’s South Loop served as host to 40 artists, across the city and nation, whose works explore America’s broken criminal justice system. Influenced by the treatment of attorney and art patron Stan Stallworth — who was accused of sexual assault, tried and vindicated — through a series of events these artists explore the question of justice and ask “Is She Blind?” One of the artists, By Edo, who designed the T-shirt for the event, talked about his contribution.
Tell us about your two pieces in the exhibit.
The two pieces I did are called “In A Sense” and “Innocence” based on the story that Stan and Therrie both shared with me; their struggles, pain, faith, frustration that they both felt through[out] the process of the incident that they were accused of. I incorporated words, quotes, and different objects in each to create the perfect pieces which embody everything that wanted to say and display; very abstract, colorful, but super details. Organized chaos is what my close friends call my art style, so that’s what I’ve [run] with. But I just wanted to tell their story through my art platform, and I think I did just that!
What do you hope audiences will take away from your work and the exhibit?
I hope from my work that the audience sees raw emotions at their peak. I want the audience to relate in some way, shape or form. Imagine going through something as painful as what Stan and Therrie went through, but also see the triumph and the light at the end of the tunnel as Stan and Therrie did. The colors will always attract people, but once they get closer the objects and verbiage will affect them in a certain way. My two pieces are think pieces. I want everyone to have an opinion, positive or negative. That’s what art should do!
How did you get involved with the project?
I got involved with this project through my art manager, Roe and Stan. Stan loved my art style and wanted to commission me for this show. I also designed the flyers for the event and my marketing company I own also produces the official merchandise for the exhibit, so I’m forever thankful for Roe and Stan for bringing me on board to showcase my talent at a super high level.
Talk about the concept and your personal take on being asked to participate.
I was super excited to be a part of this exhibit because I was able to showcase my art on a higher platform. I tell everybody that all I need is that one big look and it’s over for me. There won’t be any looking back. I call my art infinite art because it’s a forever evolving, forever changing concept. And it’s super detail[ed] with so many gems and subliminal messages that I don’t share with anybody, but I think that’s what’s dope about being an artist because I don’t have to explain everything. Art is what you believe it is. It’s your perception [or] take on what you see. Years from now, the youth will be deciphering my art and they’ll realize what I was actually trying to do and say but until then my mouth is sealed!
The T-shirt “Black Man Blues” worn at the event; did you create it for the event? And what was the concept behind the graphic?
Yes, like I stated earlier, my marketing company, B.C. Chicago, produced the official merchandise for the exhibit. I believe I did over 20 concepts for Stan to choose from and we narrowed it down with each sitting. We ultimately went with the super fresh/clean Black Man Blues logo concept and we chose those colors because they spoke upscale and elegance. Stan wanted them to look that way, and we delivered!
For more information, visit totheinfinite.com | DREAM INFINITELY
