It was called For Dear Life, the first exhibition to survey the themes of illness and disability in American art from the mid 20th century up to the COVID pandemic. It is also a part of the PST ART, an enormous collaboration of Southern California arts institutions around the theme of art and science.
Within this incredible exhibit, The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCASD) showcased 120 works by eighty-five contemporary artists dealing with topics from disability justice to substance use disorders, women's health and the medical world.
I have to mention that we attended this exhibit because MCASD highlighted chairs from their design collection and featured embroidered cushions designed by our son, Erik Benjamins and his colleague Finnegan Shannon. We were invited to wander and rest along the way. The cushions reflected messages, "Comfort is king. Sit if you agree.” And, "Rest is best. Sit If you agree."
I was inspired in seeing decades worth of artists work that informs us about lived experiences in many ways that most of us have not thought about. Creativity, imagination and improvisation were evident throughout the exhibition.
As the political rhetoric and continued disparagement of disability comes from our recent election season and now from our administration, we see there is no future for a culture of “otherness” nor a shocking tolerance for cruelty. This artwork showed an alternative view which is a culture of beauty and strength in interdependency. Someday, we hope that everyone will see the building of ramps and handrails as a support to thrive rather than an inconvenience.
Then there is the Robert Irwin room. His work is foundational to West Coast minimalism, referred to Light & Space. He has many important pieces here and there is a recognizable on-site installation where he cuts into the gallery’s windows opening the interior space to the exterior beyond. Light, air, sea, and sound blend in visual and sensorial wonder. MCASD says, "This installation reflects so many of the unexpected ways in which Irwin makes us ever more aware of the world around us." Again, like the artists in this exhibition, we are challenged to think and take in the experiences beyond ourselves using all the senses.
If I could speak to these eighty-five artists, I would say, “please continue the conversations” and challenge us in your art. Help us see your perspectives. We depend on your truth. Many of us during our lifetime may need to modify our practices and lived experiences in response to health-related issues. We are all human and we learn from you. This is “For Dear Life.” Thank you MCASD in La Jolla, CA.
Written by Sherry Benjamins - Career Coach & Artist - 2025 sherry@sbcompany.net
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