WE THE (DISCARDED) PEOPLE: ART AS A CALL FOR JUSTICE AND HUMANITY
Chawky Frenn’s art exhibition, “We the (Discarded) People:
Warfare or Welfare?” at the Bharat Kala Bhavan, Art and Archaeology Museum, is a profound is a passionate plea for peace, justice, truth, empathy, and human rights. Through his evocative paintings, Frenn challenges viewers to confront the painful realities of our world and take meaningful action toward change.
The series comprises 107 mixed-media paintings on posters of the United States Constitution, representing a decade of research and creative expression. It addresses critical issues such as the manipulation of policies that favor the elite, deepening inequality and leaving the wellbeing of the people behind as discarded and marginalized communities.
At its core, the exhibition reflects Frenn’s deep love for America and his frustration with systems that betray its foundational ideals. He draws attention to the struggles of indigenous people, African Americans, LGBTQ communities, women, immigrants, refugees, veterans, prisoners, and others fighting for basic rights and dignity. His art is both a critique and a call to action, inviting viewers to consider the true meaning of “We the People” as an inclusive, universal principle that transcends national borders. Frenn critiques how governments and political leaders often manipulate ideals like justice, liberty, and human rights to justify oppression, corruption, and violence. He exposes the hypocrisy of leaders who condemn some wars while supporting others, or who weaponize justice and peace to suppress dissent. The exhibition questions how long humanity will allow greed, lies, and exploitation to overshadow the collective welfare and moral values.
Through his unique blend exploration of humanity’s struggles, injustices, and the failures of systems meant to protect democracy, liberty, and equality. More than just a cultural event, this series power, the exploitation of vulnerable communities, and the corrupting influence of money in politics. Frenn’s work exposes how corporate and financial interests shape of classical techniques and modern storytelling, Frenn’s work bridges timeless artistic traditions with contemporary narratives. Inspired by artists like Goya, Otto Dix, and Kathe Kollwitz, his emotionally charged paintings capture raw human pain, forcing viewers to confront the consequences of injustice and inequality. The exhibition also highlights how the corporatization of politics and the prioritization of economic gain over human welfare have become forms of modern warfare. Frenn critiques how corporations manipulate public perception under the guise of social good, perpetuating systems of exploitation that undermine democracy and human rights. Frenn’s work reflects the fractured state of the global community while reminding us of our shared humanity. By exploring themes of social justice, environmental sustainability, and the ongoing struggle for equality, his art challenges us to move beyond indifference and apathy.
Ultimately, “We the (Discarded) People” is not just art—it is a powerful statement about the urgent need for peace, compassion, and justice in our world. Frenn asks us to reject systems that prioritize greed and dominance, and instead build a future rooted in empathy, collective welfare, and respect for human rights. It is a call to reclaim the values that should define us and take action to create a world that truly upholds the ideals of democracy, liberty, and equality for all.