“It’s necessary to maintain a state of disobedience against . . . everything.” Poet Alice Notely’s assertion rings true for State of Disobedience an exhibition that brings together works in a range of media by Matthew Ronay, Barkley Hendricks, Mary Ellen Mark, Patty Chang, Glenn Ligon, and others. These works speak to the power of art to provoke unexpected and contradictory responses. The initial unease brought about by images of violence or glimpses into counter culture can also make way for moments of tenderness, assertions of selfhood, and powerful stances taken against unjust actions.
