Converge 45, Portland's citywide triennial, has announced its theme and the lineup of 28 artists for the upcoming exhibition set to launch on August 27. Curated by Lumi Tan, this year's theme, "Here, To you, Now," draws inspiration from Ursula K. Le Guin's 1985 novel, Always Coming Home, which reflects on resilience and the fluidity of language in the face of ecological challenges.
Le Guin's connection to Portland is significant, as more than half of the featured artists hail from the city. Among them are Srijon Chowdhury, Aaron Cunningham, and Vo Vo, alongside visitors from outside Oregon, including New York artists Trisha Baga and Rose Salane, and Jacqueline Kiyomi Gork from Los Angeles.
"What makes Here, To you, Now particularly compelling is Lumi's ability to unite artists whose work resonates deeply with Portland," said Amanda Donnan, executive and artistic director of Converge 45. "These projects engage with the city's histories and communities, ensuring that the triennial serves as a platform for broader artistic dialogues."
The exhibition will unfold across 16 venues throughout Portland, including the Portland Institute of Contemporary Art and the Oregon Contemporary. Tan emphasized the vibrant and interconnected nature of Portland's artistic community, where collaboration among artists, curators, and gallerists thrives.
Converge 45, celebrating its 10th anniversary, transitioned to a triennial format this year, having originally launched in 2016. Tan's vision for the exhibition reflects the organization's ongoing commitment to supporting local artists while fostering national artistic conversations. "We explored how embracing impermanence can create new opportunities in their work," she noted, reinforcing the idea of temporary communities within the city.
In a time of uncertainty, Tan believes this exhibition calls for collective attention and shared responsibility, aiming to unite audiences through art. The full list of participating artists includes:
- Trisha Baga (New York, NY)
- Srijon Chowdhury (Portland, OR)
- Rose Salane (New York, NY)
- Marcus Fischer (Portland, OR)
- Vo Vo (Portland, OR)
- And many others.
This year's Converge 45 promises to be a transformative event, positioning Portland as a hub for innovative art and community engagement.
