Category: Group Exhibition
Art has never been neutral.
Throughout history, artists have documented injustice, challenged power, inspired movements, and given shape to ideas that words alone could not express. Protest: The Art of Activism celebrated that legacy through a powerful exhibition of contemporary protest art and activist artwork from more than 60 artists working across Southern California and beyond.
Presented by Not Shockboxx, the exhibition transformed the gallery into a space for dialogue, resistance, remembrance, and hope. Featuring more than 100 works of contemporary art—including painting, sculpture, photography, textiles, printmaking, mixed media, installation, film, and animation—the exhibition explored the many ways artists respond to issues of democracy, human rights, environmental justice, racial equity, LGBTQ+ rights, gender equality, immigration, reproductive freedom, and freedom of expression.
Rather than promoting a single viewpoint, Protest: The Art of Activism examined activism itself as an artistic practice. Some works were deeply personal. Others were confrontational, humorous, poetic, or quietly reflective. Together, they demonstrated that protest can take many forms, and that art remains one of the most powerful tools for documenting history while imagining a more just future.
The exhibition extended beyond the gallery walls through community programming that included an activist sign-making workshop, public conversations, and opportunities for civic engagement. It reinforced Not Shockboxx’s belief that an art gallery can be more than a place to view artwork—it can be a place where neighbors gather, difficult conversations begin, and creative expression inspires action.
As a queer- and woman-owned nonprofit contemporary art gallery in Hermosa Beach, California, Not Shockboxx is committed to exhibiting work that challenges convention, amplifies underrepresented voices, and creates meaningful opportunities for artists and audiences alike. Protest: The Art of Activism embodied that mission, demonstrating that activism through art is not confined to history books or museum collections. It is alive, evolving, and deeply connected to the communities in which we live.
The exhibition served as a reminder that while art may not change the world on its own, it has always helped people imagine the possibility of change.
And sometimes, that’s where every movement begins.
Artists: Adam Mazy, Adele French, Alison McMahon, Annika Simmons, Armelle Vervialle Ngo, Barig Nalbantian, Barry Jordan, Carol Blum, Caroline Avent, Claudia Berman, Corinne Humphrey, D Hobson, Dar San Agustin, David Mack, David Schwittek, Debbie Novak, Devon Sharon, E. Y. Reilly, Emily Tanaka, Eryn Lewis, Eva Benedikt, Francis Ybanez, Francziska Steagall, Gin Lin, Gregory young, James Frost, James Thatcher, Janet Day, Jeanne May, Jen Dohner, Jennifer Myhre, Jennifer Wilkens, Jeremy Woodard, Jesse Aldana, Jessica Teckemeyer, Joanna Biondolillo, John Fleissner, Joma Geneciran, Judy Polstra, Karen Joy, Kathleen Fietz, Keith Kurlander, Kerry Sclafani, Kevin Perrault, Kim Stuart, Kimberlee Koym-Murteira, Kina Lee, Matthew Plaza, Meghan Quinn, Michael Usher, Michelle Victoria, Nick Shattuck, Peter Ashlock, Peter Sandback, Remedios Rapoport, Rhonda Urdang, Ron Romain, Sadie Duthu-Glover, Sarah Sipling, Sean Colella, Silvana D'Mikos, Stephanie Albion, Therese Verner, Tracy Murphy, Vince Quevedo, Wendy Nyx