17 years of Cultivating Social Change…From an Artist, Not From Politicians

Since 1992, Soraida’s Verdadism has inspired self-awareness, spirituality, social consciousness, personal identity, intuition and individualism.

Can art really fight prejudice and stereotyping? Learn how at a new exhibition looking at 17 years of Verdadism paintings with social commentaries.

Since 1992, Soraida Martinez has been raising awareness of the social issues that until recently have been considered too taboo to be discussed in mainstream American society. Sexism, racism, stereotyping, health care and connecting to a higher inner-self are some of the themes that Soraida addresses in her hardedge abstract paintings with written social commentaries, which she calls Verdadism.

Health care in America is one issue that Soraida addressed in a painting that she created in 2000: “AMERICA…SO SOPHISTICATED AND YET SO PRIMITIVE, WHEN IT COMES TO GIVING OUR PEOPLE MEDICAL CARE.” In 1999, a decade before the fall of Wall Street, Soraida created another relevant painting on greed entitled, “WHEN MONEY GETS UGLY.”

Soraida’s new Verdadism exhibition (A look at 17 years of Verdadism paintings) presents the question: can art really influence social change? According to Soraida “Yes, art can plant a seed in someone’s mind; look at what is happening now. Many years ago, people thought that my paintings were ‘in your face’ and that no one would want to talk about these issues. Today, it’s common to talk about social change. I hope that we all take part in making this happen. Politicians have their own agendas; in my Verdadism philosophy, one must empower oneself with one’s own truth and go for it.”

Exhibition Opening Reception: August 8th, from 3:00-7:00PM
Exhibition Dates: August 8, 2009 to September 30, 2009
Location: Verdadism Art Gallery, 220 South Berlin Road, Lindenwold, NJ 08021

Admission is FREE, but reservations are required. Wine and Spanish hors d’oeuvres will be served, with live music by improvisational jazz bassist/percussionist, Jodie Janetta, and blues singer/poet, Lori Benton-Janetta. For reservations, please RSVP before August 4th by calling 856-346-3131 or sending an e-mail to [email protected]. For more information on Soraida and the art of Verdadism, go to http://www.soraida.com/verdadism.htm.