We're excited to share an article by Amy DiPlacido, SJMQT's Curator of Exhibitions on recently exhibited artist Ryan Carrington. Her article, 'Work About Work Equals Work' can be found on Feral Fabric's newly published journal on Labor, Volume 05.
Star Spangled Banner. 2019. Painter's Pants, Suits, Collared Shirts. 70"x66"
The American workforce arguably experienced the most rapid change of the entire 21st century within the last year, due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.
Employees left their stations on March 16, 2020, many of them not returning for the greater part of the year. Some workers have not returned at all after 20 months and counting. Americans experienced mass layoffs, furloughs, labor injustices, and record unemployment with no current signs of a full recovery. America has since grappled with inequities surrounding its workforce: the luxury of safely working from the comforts of home, contrasting with front line workers who risk their personal health and safety. Workers who were fortunate enough to keep their jobs are advocating for work from home as a new normal, prompting thought and discussion of what work looks like in 2021, and how the future of employment will evolve in the coming years.
