An exhibit of works by artist V.L. Cox that examines past and present discrimination, gender issues and social culture will open April 19 at the Rosa Parks Museum at Troy University’s Montgomery Campus.
An opening reception for the exhibit, “Break Glass: A Conversation to End Hate,” will begin at 6 p.m. in the museum’s exhibit hall and is free and open to the public.
Through the powerful pieces of art, Cox hopes to spark conversation about civil rights and equality, as well as explore the persistence of hate and injustice in America today.
“Personal conversations, with respect to one another, need to be had before we can move forward together,” Cox said. “There used to be a time when people could agree to disagree with civility, yet still have things in common. We need to find that place again.”
Dr. Felicia Bell, director of the museum, said the exhibit is compelling and fits well with the museum’s mission.
“I am so pleased that the Rosa Parks Museum is offering such a compelling and thought-provoking exhibition for our visitors. ‘Break Glass’ is sure to engage them in the national conversation about race, class, equality, and justice,” Dr. Bell said. “As a part of our mission, we challenge our visitors to think critically about the legacy of Rosa Parks. This important work from V. L. Cox is conducive to fulfilling that mission.”
Born in Shreveport, La. and raised in Arkansas, Cox comes from a long line of artists – her father is an illustrator and engineer and her great grandmother was a painter whose work is now in the permanent collection of the Historic Arkansas Museum.
In 2015, Cox launched her national “End Hate” installation series, an anti-discrimination series that was placed twice on the steps of the Arkansas State Capitol, as well as at the base of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. The series employs authentic, found objects that create a presentation commenting on raw emotions and relevant human rights issues. Cox’s paintings combine composition and depth, which are powerful and compel the viewer to interact with the artwork.
Cox received her BFA from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. She has created large backdrops for organizations including the Dallas Opera, the Dallas Ballet, Los Colinas Film Studios, and the National Civil Rights Museum Humanities Awards in Memphis, Tennessee. Her work can be found in the Morris Museum of Art in Augusta, Georgia, (Julia J. Norrell collection), the Historic Arkansas Museum in Little Rock, Arkansas, President William Jefferson Clinton Collection, as well as numerous private collections.
“Break Glass” will be on exhibit at the Rosa Parks Museum through the summer and is available for viewing during normal museum hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
