Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo - SAY THEIR NAMES, SAY THEIR NAMES LOUD
Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo
SAY THEIR NAMES, SAY THEIR NAMES LOUD
SAY THEIR NAMES, SAY THEIR NAMES LOUD Installation View
Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo, We make our own webs, our own cloth, to tell our stories Chalkboard paint, acrylic, flashe, 60" x 60", 2018
This is between January and October 2019, the list has gotten too long, it must stop now. We say ASHE after every name, we will not forget your name, 50" x 50"
Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo, Look Closer, Black Gesso, blackboard paint, acrylic, flashe, spray paint, colored pencil, 36" x 24", 2019
Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo, We are figuring this out together, Black gesso, acrylic, colored pencil, spray paint, 18" x 12", 2019
Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo, Whose Words Black gesso, matte medium, spray paint, colored pencil on panel, 12" x 12", 2019
Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo, After looking at this, it’s time to go do the work (ACTION NOW), Black gesso, acrylic, matte medium, flashe, colored pencil, 36" x 36", 2019
Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo, We are living in your honor, Black gesso, flashe, acrylic, colored pencil, cardboard, 49" x 36", 2019
Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo, We are living in your honor, Black gesso, flashe, acrylic, colored pencil, cardboard, 49" x 36", 2019
Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo. This is between January and October 2019, the list has gotten too long, it must stop now. We say ASHE after every name, we will not forget your name. 72" x 48", 2019
Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo, As bright as our living bodies Black Gesso, acrylic, spray paint, colored pencil, 36" x 36", 2019
Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo, Our stories of resistance need to be in the news too Acrylic on found plastic board, spray paint, yellow rope, clip, 14" x 20", 2019
Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo, Yes, demand, now Black gesso, acrylic, spray paint, 36" x 36", 2019
Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo, Early gay feelings Black gesso, acrylic, colored pencil, 12" x 18", 2019
Lukaza Branfman-Verissimo
SAY THEIR NAMES, SAY THEIR NAMES LOUD
Right as I think I understand what it says
it cuts off and I search for the next letter
the next symbol that will maybe help me figure out what it all means
Right when I think I’ve memorized all their names
when I say ASHE after every name
at my altar
I learn that one more name has been added to the list
Right when I feel out of breath and out of energy
I remember that we must treasure our breaths and hold them close
because the list has gotten too long
there are too many people who no longer get to breathe
Right as I see them smile
I want them to shine bright forever and feel supported in a world that is hard to live in A new line has begun and it continues the story
our story
my story
their story
We listen closely
We cherish deeply
SAY THEIR NAMES, SAY THEIR NAMES LOUD is an altar, an atlas, a shrine, a sanctuary, an abode, a refuge, a shelter, a terrain, a haven, a hearth, an invitation...to caring, to commitment. There is a lot of text because there are a lot of stories that still need to get out in the world. There is a lot of color because we need as much brightness as we can get these days. There are a lot of voices honored in these works because those voices are not often honored. We need to get used to reading them, learning them, saying them louder and louder and louder.