Seeking Freedom: Six Artists' Journeys from Oppression to Freedom

The National Liberty Museum is proud to announce its upcoming exhibition: “Seeking Freedom: Six Artists’ Journeys from Oppression to Freedom.” The exhibition will open on June 28, in concert with Welcome America, and continues through October 7, 2012. More than two dozen sculptural works in glass from six artists who fled Communist homelands will be featured, alongside the stories of their escapes and quotes from the artists on how their lives are different in America. There is no additional charge to view this exhibit and all works are available for purchase.

Participating artists include Latchezar Boyadjiev (Bulgaria/Czechoslovakia), Jose Chardiet (Cuba), Janusz Walentynowicz (Poland), Martin Rosol (Czechoslovakia), Binh Pho (Vietnam) and Pavel Novak (Czechoslovakia).  Between 1960 and 1990, each of these men left their homes and in some cases even their families, for the promise of a better life in non-communist countries.  Bribed border guards, midnight sails on homemade boats, refugee and re-education camps are but a few of the dramatic elements in the inspiring stories behind their journeys. All are now here in the United States and are established artists contributing to the collective artistic culture of their new homeland.  Many of the artworks featured will reference struggle, journey, transition – even joy; some of these references will be forceful and obvious, others quieter and more introspective.