EMILY EVELETH | ABRONS-ENGLE INSTITUTE FOR VISUAL ARTS

When you think of food, what do you think of? Does the thought of food evoke an emotional response? A memory? A craving? Or does food simply remind you to start planning for dinner? Our relationship with food is, in short, complicated. A La Carte features over 30 nationally and internationally renowned contemporary artists whose work utilizes food to explore relevant contemporary social and cultural issues. These works examine the role of food in advertising, popular culture, nutrition, activism, food disparities, globalization, sexuality, spirituality, worker’s rights, cultural identity, sustainability, and many other topics.

As you navigate this exhibition, consider your own relationship with food. What images stand out to you the most? How much does your own societal circumstance, culture, environment, or location dictate the choices you make concerning food? How do they govern your first impressions when viewing the art in this exhibition?