The intersection of visual arts and creative writing has long proved to be a transformative way of addressing complex sociopolitical issues in society. When these creative realms merge, they amplify each other’s impact, offering a multidimensional experience that challenges regimes and sparks dialogue. Creative writing and visual arts rely on storytelling through imagery or keywords.
This collaborative potential is evident in Oscar Eduardo de Paz’s A Violent Break, which captures marginal perspectives through a poetic narrative. In this book, the artist recounts a personal experience with the police as a teen in his hometown, Chicago, IL, where taking out the trash turned into a life-altering experience. Mistaken for a threat, what should have been a routine chore became a moment of fright.
A defining moment for artist Oscar Eduardo de Paz, A Violent Break invites us to advocate and amplify the experiences and voices of those in marginalized communities. Serving as a testament to creating a space for empathy, visibility, and understanding, A Violent Break symbolizes the psychological break of de Paz’s innocence and the harsh truth surrounding systemic issues and the biases marginalized communities face. Today, he continues to share his contemporary work, highlighting personal and communal injustices through vulnerability and vivid imagery.
Visit the John William Gallery at 1313 North Market through March 27 to experience the artist’s solo exhibition, Between Boundaries: Oscar Eduardo de Paz.
Sasha Thompson Emerging Curator
The Emerging Curator Platform is an awarded fellowship program subsidized by John William Gallery and developed in collaboration between John William Gallery, the Delaware Art Museum, 1313 North Market, and the Museum Studies & Public Engagement Program at the University of Delaware.
Images: Photo by Jea Street Jr. and A Violent Break, 2024. Oscar Eduardo de Paz.