Steven Silverstein was among six artists honored on March 10, 2015 at the historic Texas Capitol, where they received a proclamation on the floor of the House of Representatives and a resolution by the Texas Senate.
The Texas Capitol where the "I See You" exhibit runs concurrently with the 84th Legislature - Jan 10 to June 10, 2015.
The floor of the Texas House of Representatives where the "I See You" artists were recognized.
Senator Rodney Ellis (D - Houston) presented the resolution recognizing the artists, whose works are in the "I See You" exhibition, currently on display at the Capitol until June 10, 2015. As a legislator since 1990, Ellis has advocated for civil and human rights including authoring the 2001 James Bird Jr Hate Crimes Act, the 2007 Stop the Genocide Act, in support of Sudan's Darfur region, and the 2009 introduction and passage of legislation creating the Holocaust and Genocide Commission which serves as a conduit of information to schools and organizations.
A Senate Resolution was passed in honor of the artists and exhibit, which recognizes civil and human rights.
The exhibition, which opened January 10, runs concurrently with the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Movement of Selma, Alabama and the 1965 national Voting Rights Act. Its name, "I See You," is a tribute to the African greeting "Sawa Bona," which acknowledges our shared human connection and celebrates our collective existence. Silverstein is the sole photographic exhibitor in "I See You." His two works, Black Queen and Right On, which were crafted in-camera, offer distinct statements for what a champion of civil and human rights is about: enlightened and in solidarity.
As noted in the exhibition catalog, "The works of art were curated to tell a modern story about where we have been and the proactive path forward needed to further advance civil rights...To be a champion of civil rights is to support more than the face of the definition. It is to embrace and uplift all fellow humans - those right in front of us, and those we do not know."
"I See You" exhibition catalog with two abstract works by Steven Silverstein, the sole photographic artist in the exhibit.
Steven Silverstein's abstract photographic work on paper, Right On, 60 x 40 inches (152.4 x 101.6 cm) installed at the Texas Capitol human rights art exhibit.