In partnership with artist, Jack Wang and Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island, the WaterFire Arts Center presents a photography show in the Visitor Center Gallery, Faith Resilience Perseverance: Photographs by Jack Wang from Thursday, June 10 until Sunday, June 20, 2021.
All proceeds from the sale of Jack Wang’s photographs in the gallery will benefit Dorcas International, Celebrating One Hundred Years of Transforming Communities in Rhode Island.
All are welcome to an opening night reception on Friday, June 11 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (with cash bar available), as well as for Gallery Night Providence on Thursday, June 17 from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (during TroopTop, with a cash bar available on the roof deck). Our regular gallery hours are Wednesday – Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Thursday, 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
I use photography to reflect the great diversity of cultures, sceneries, and people around the world. Through my photos, I remind myself and my audience that, due to physical constraints, we all live inside bubbles — sometimes, we need to approach the world with a more understanding perspective and respect cultures that are different from our own. In this exhibition, I capture landscapes and Buddhism’s transcendent impact on Tibetan people. The photos were taken in January of 2021 and include holy mountains, monasteries, and people performing religious rituals like Kora (pilgrimage), among other things. For the human subjects, I use a mixture of monks and ordinary people practicing Buddhism to reflect the pervasiveness and significance of frequent worship in Tibetan culture. These photos reflecting continued demonstrations of faith during a pandemic symbolize great, inspiring perseverance.
Jack Wang
artist
Jack Wang Bio
Jack Wang is a rising senior at the Groton School in Massachusetts. Since starting high school, he has developed a keen interest in computer science and visual arts, especially in photography and videography. His passion for being behind the camera has led him to more than a dozen countries around the world. In Tibet, he traveled to villages where he listened to the voices of the indigenous Tibetans. While in Ecuador, he journeyed deep into the Amazon and learned firsthand about the destructive, cancerous oil spills contaminating the river. With just a camera around his neck, Jack was able to capture the unique culture of vast lands, rooted in the strong beliefs of the indigenous people, and the extraordinary beauty of nature. His experiences have given him a passion to pursue a new mission: using photography as a tool to shed light on the injustices he witnesses. The faith, resilience, and perseverance of the people he has met inspires him to think creatively and act boldly in combating global injustices. His website and digital campaigns aim to raise awareness and funds for those who are unheard and overlooked.
About Dorcas International
Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island works to empower refugees and immigrants in the community by providing vital programs and services for legal aid and representation for citizenship and immigration, refugee resettlement, education, and more to help the people it serves to thrive and be successful.
For 100 years, Dorcas International Institute Rhode Island has both welcomed and strived to empower immigrants, refugees, low-income Rhode Islander’s and all those working to overcome socio-economic and language barriers through innovative programs, services, and advocacy that promote education, training, and cultural understanding. For more information, visit their website at diiri.org or call 401-784-8707.
