Unspoken

Unspoken:

Language, whether written or spoken, is the primary tool associated with communication. Yet, spoken word is far from universal; with over 7,000 languages spoken worldwide, communication is geographically and culturally restrictive. When translating between languages, often meaning is lost in the process, tempered by cultural vocabulary. Words often fail to capture emotional landscapes and personal narratives even within a singular language. Articulating the human experience and concisely capturing specific moments through words alone is challenging.

Before alphabets, vocabulary, and grammar existed, humans relied on images, facial expressions, and gestures to communicate. Imagery is a powerful conveyor of both ideas as well as emotions. Visual language transcends the boundaries of prose and speech; the confines of a singular spoken language do not limit it. Visualization is a vital way to express the nuances of lived experience and encapsulate the intricacies of emotion. Visual art communicates narrative while eliciting emotion from the viewer, forging profound connections without verbal constraints. A picture isn’t worth 1,000 words; its impact goes beyond what words can quantify.

Each artist in “Unspoken” uses their visual practice to communicate to the world around them when words fall short. Each work is a deeply personal expression, embodying the artists’ culture, emotions, and memories, relying on imagery to tell their stories. These artists let their works silently speak to the viewer, capturing complex narratives and emotions that simply cannot be put into words.

Featuring: Ellie Liu, Laura Cleary Williams and Meir Goukhman

Curated by Calli Mirales