Enjoy Forbidden Pages, an art and social engagement exhibit utilizing diverse art forms such letterpress, linoleum prints, and zines. This exhibit draws inspiration from a collection of more than 2,500 banned or challenged children's books and aims to foster and ignite curiosity behind the meaning of these novels. For more information, please contact the branch at 305-643-8574 or barreroc@mdpls.org. All ages.
About the Exhibit
Letterpress prints form the foundation of Forbidden Pages, an art and social engagement exhibit utilizing diverse art forms such as letterpress, linoleum prints, zines, and a site-specific wallpaper mural installation. Drawing inspiration from a collection of more than 2,500 banned or challenged children’s books, including renowned titles like The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, Before She Was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome, Festival of Colors by Kabir and Surishtha Sehgal, and Neither by Airlie Anderson, Garmendia’s exhibit breathes fresh air into the silenced tales of these remarkable novels.
Each piece of Forbidden Pages features vibrant and colorful abstract designs rooted in the International Standard Book Numbers (ISBN) of the challenged novels and their corresponding barcodes. This thought-provoking exhibit aims to foster and ignite curiosity on the meaning behind text excerpts of these novels. Garmendia’s exhibit seamlessly blends art and critical dialogue, encouraging the public to also reflect upon the ongoing limitations and accessibility concerns of children’s literature novels within Florida's public schools.
Rosa Naday Garmendia is a multi-disciplinary artist whose work combines contemporary art and activism, drawing inspiration from her personal journey as a Cuban migrant. Her work revolves around exploring humanity amidst the impact of cultural assimilation.
Through her creative practice, Garmendia aims to uncover concealed narratives, shedding light on untold stories that deserve understanding and recognition. Themes of identity, racism, and social justice are at the core of her art and drive her mission to create meaningful change.
She currently is a teaching artist at the Perez Art Museum Miami and is dedicated to creating a sense of community belonging beyond artificial geographic and ethnic boundaries. For more information on Garmendia’s work and scheduled public activations for Forbidden Pages, visit www.rosanadaygarmendia.com