REVEALING AN INVISIBLE HAND
Art Exhibition Examines the Experience of Poverty
For Im m ediate Release. M ay 7, 2015 (Chicago, IL). Opening May 22 (through July
25, 2015), David Weinberg Photography (d-weinberg.com) presents, An Invisible Hand, a
thought-provoking art exhibition that explores the diverse experiences of poverty. The
show is curated in collaboration with the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law.
All exhibition revenue supports this partner organization and the contributing artists.
A free public opening reception will be held May 22, 5-8 pm at David Weinberg
Photography, 300 W. Superior Street, #203, Chicago, Illinois. A special media preview will
be held Thursday May 21 from 10 am to 12 pm.
The exhibition title, An Invisible Hand, originates from Adam Smith, the father of modern
economics, who used the term to describe the unintended social benefit that can result
from one’s self-interested behavior. However, this behavior all-too-often promotes
unintended, detrimental, sometimes even catastrophic consequences for society as well.
An Invisible Hand includes the work of 96 Acres, Patricia Evans, Jeremiah Jones, Dave
Jordano, Lisa Lindvay, Billy McGuinness, John Preus, David Schalliol, and Lisa Vinebaum.
Image by Dave Jordano The exhibition features photography, sculpture,
video, and sound that investigate the topic of
poverty from many perspectives. Says Curator Meg
Noe, “The Shriver Center understands that the
reality of poverty is unique to each individual
experiencing it. Similarly, an exhibition attempting
to explore such complexities cannot be comprised
of a single discipline or format. In attempting to
illustrate the work of The Shriver Center, this
exhibition seeks to convey clear proof of the
intricacies of poverty.”
An Invisible Hand examines how societal factors play a role in people’s daily lives, as it
documents, protests, and defies media stereotypes of people living in poverty. It also
celebrates socially engaged art and the empowerment of individual action. Its eclectic
assortment of works, while often distinctly disparate in method and aesthetic, ultimately
comes together to tell the complicated story of poverty on both its individual and systemic
levels. A neon sign and the bold letters of workers’ rights protest signs are in direct
dialogue with the subjects of an experimental documentary on migrant workers in North
Dakota. Two photo-documentary projects address the history of the Chicago Housing
Authority through the lens of architectural and sociological studies, while another two
photo series reveal what the photographers saw when they pointed their cameras
homeward. Audio works, material studies on canvas and custom furniture fashioned out of
reclaimed materials each address specific communities on the ground in direct
engagement with their residents and their practical needs.
“The body of work represented by these artists is an aesthetic tour de force and an
impetus for difficult conversations about poverty,” says gallery owner David Weinberg.
“We are honored to collaborate with the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law,
a national leader pursuing justice for people living in poverty. In addition to showcasing
important works of art, it is mission-imperative that our gallery serves as a catalyst for
community and educational development and engagement, spurring action on issues of
social justice.”
“Poverty—its aspects, the people who live in it, everything about it—can be so varied and
complex that it defies the ability of words to describe it,” says John Bouman, President of
the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law. “The fight against poverty depends
on public understanding and concern. The Shriver Center is excited that David Weinberg
Photography is deploying art to convey truths about poverty in ways beyond words and to
speak to audiences we have not reached before.”
A roster of free public events complements An Invisible Hand, including panel discussions,
artist talks, a film screening and more. For more details, go to
www.d-weinberg.com/aninvisiblehand-programming
ABOUT DAVID WEINBERG PHOTOGRAPHY: David Weinberg Photography is a gallery with
the mission to educate and inform the public on issues of social justice. The gallery aims to provide an
engaging environment for discourse on critical contemporary issues that concern the community. Joining
artists and organizations in support and solidarity of their cause, the gallery works to drive change and
cultivate a culture of consciousness. d-weinberg.com
ABOUT SARGENT SHRIVER NATIONAL CENTER ON POVERTY LAW: The Sargent Shriver
National Center on Poverty Law provides national leadership in advancing laws and policies that
secure justice to improve the lives and opportunities of people living in poverty. Access to justice and
equal opportunity under the law are fundamental American values. We ensure that laws and policies
provide low-income people with access to adequate health care, decent housing, a safety net, and
opportunities to achieve their full potential. We advocate for positive policy and systemic changes on a
range of issues, including asset building, budget and taxes, community justice, economic
justice, education, health care, housing, and challenges facing women and girls. Most importantly, we
ensure that the voices of marginalized people are heard. www.povertylaw.org
High-resolution images of artwork are available upon request.
Media Requests: Please contact Orly Telisman Public Relations at 312-375-1230 or [email protected]
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