Art Is Dangerous:

January 28 – March 14, 2025
Morgan Gallery

Celebrated author Toni Morrison claimed boldly that “Art is dangerous” for the potential it holds to upset the power structures upholding the status quo.

This exhibition presents artworks from the museum’s permanent collection by Black, Native American, feminist, and queer activist artists. They assert autonomy over their own bodies, demand recognition of their identities, call out unequal representation in power and economic structures, and attest to the systemic violence done to their communities by racism, sexism, and queerphobia. At a time of deep division, anxiety, and uncertainty, they challenge the deeply rooted White supremacist, patriarchal, capitalist structures that remain entrenched in contemporary life.

Calling out injustice and inequality where they have found it, these artists call us IN as witnesses to pay attention, to notice what previously we have not, and to engage with empathy. By doing this, we invite and accept one of the most dangerous risks we can face: the possibility that we may change our minds, and in doing so, may take action.

“Art is dangerous…. because dictators and people who want to control and deceive know exactly the people who will disturb their plans. And those people are artists. They’re the ones that sing the truth. And that is something that society has got to protect.…. because it is one of the most important things that human beings do.”
-Toni Morrison, from “Art and Social Justice” at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, June 15, 2016

This exhibition is made possible by the many gifts of donors that have formed the College of Wooster Art Museum’s collection. Funding for this exhibition generously provided by the Julia Shoolroy Halloran Endowed Fund and the College of Wooster.

Many thanks to Doug McGlumphy, Preparator and Collections Manager for installation and Tracy Mathys, Administrative Coordinator, for illustration, promotional design, and program support.