“Kin Killin’ Kin” (KKK) Art Exhibit by Artist, James Pate Comes to Portland

Part of the three-part “Art Impacting Community” PassinArt series “Our Sons”

James Pate is a master visual artist, whose “Kin Killin’ Kin” exhibit has been touring the United States, showing at prestigious locations such as the National Civil Rights Museum in Tennessee and the Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Ohio. “KKK” makes its Pacific Northwest premiere through PassinArt’s “Our Sons” series.

Pate combines the iconography of the Ku Klux Klan and the Civil Rights Movement and contemporary images to take the viewer into the complex territory of the causes and conditions that lead to youth violence.

Artist James PateThis visually powerful and thought-provoking exhibition focuses on youth and gun violence in our communities. Pate’s images are immediate, powerful and controversial. The artist has chosen to mix the iconography of the Ku Klux Klan with contemporary hip hop imagery and considers his work a “call to action.”

Pate says: “For years, I’ve heard the phrase in my community that when we do violence to ourselves, we are doing the Klan’s business. This is nothing new.” Pate literally blows this thought up for close examination.

Important conversations have been happening where the exhibit has been presented, and PassinArt hopes the same level of dialogue will occur in Portland so that youth and community members can get engaged to find positive alternatives and solutions to violence. The artist will be invited to Portland during the run of the exhibit.

Due to strong images, not recommended for young children 12 & under.

Exhibit Runs Friday, Feb. 24 - Sunday, April 2, 2017 / Fri. 3-7pm / Sat. & Sun. 2-7pm

Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center, 5340 N Interstate Ave., Portland

FREE and open to the public, no reservations are required. For more information visit PassinArt's website.