Turbulence of 2020 is at the heart of new world peace art exhibit at Westport MoCA

Artist Jackie Thaw points out a fact about her work at the opening reception for the "World Peace" show at MoCA Westport on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, in Westport, Conn.

“We didn’t create the dialogue,” explained Ruth Mannes, executive director, noting that while some people might view the collection as leaning to the political left, it’s more accurately a reflection of topical concerns and controversies captured in photos, paintings, sculpture, video and more.

Bill Felton, board chair, checks out a piece featuring a former New York City mayor at the opening reception for the "World Peace" show at MoCA Westport on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, in Westport, Conn.

“It’s the full gamut,” she said.

Ironically, Mannes and Liz Leggett, head of exhibitions, were contemplating the idea for the show well before 2020 brought a slew of social, political and cultural questions to the front burner.

Visitors get a first look at the opening reception for the "World Peace" show at MoCA Westport on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, in Westport, Conn.

“It was important for me to have this,” she said, speaking to the power of group shows in particular as conveying the mood and tone of the times.

“The staff worked very hard to put this together,” said Bill Felton, board chair, adding they try to do timely exhibits.

Artist Jackie Thaw of New York City and the Class Action Collective arrives at the opening reception for the "World Peace" show at MoCA Westport on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, in Westport, Conn.

“We’re very proud of this exhibit,” he said. “It captures the uncertainty of the times in which we live, which seem to keep repeating themselves in different ways over the years.”

Lainie Floyd of Westport, left, gets a photo of Mersene Norbom of Westport at the opening reception for the "World Peace" show at MoCA Westport on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, in Westport, Conn.

Felton noted that the new, large gallery space at MoCA Westport, located at 19 Newtown Turnpike, affords them the chance to feature more and larger works, including samples from the Class Action Collective’s billboard installations.

“It’s a perfect fit with this show, which is kind of a wide-ranging show,” said Jackie Thaw, of New York City.

Ruth Mannes, executive director, shares about the show at the opening reception for the "World Peace" show at MoCA Westport on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, in Westport, Conn.

She and her three collective partners created billboards for the 2018 political race—one of which is currently being reprised on I-95. The other billboards are again on display throughout the country, mainly in those states where the presidential race runs tight.

Susan Leone of Westport, left, and Hilde Azarian of Easton discuss a piece at the opening reception for the "World Peace" show at MoCA Westport on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, in Westport, Conn.

“They’re uplifting,” she said, and “not accusatory or finger pointing.”

She said she was proud to see that they make an interesting and unusual addition to this particular indoor gallery show too.

“They celebrate thinking and spirituality,” Thaw said.

Tom Sladek of Westport examines a piece at the opening reception for the "World Peace" show at MoCA Westport on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, in Westport, Conn.

A rare vintage untitled piece on loan from the Smithsonian by Bill Traylor about lynching at the opening reception for the "World Peace" show at MoCA Westport on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, in Westport, Conn.

Kaile Redmer of Westport examines a work at the opening reception for the "World Peace" show at MoCA Westport on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2020, in Westport, Conn.