Exhibit spotlights domestic workforce, including Filipino workers

LOS ANGELES – The California Domestic Workers Coalition (CDWC) has announced a one-day pop-up multimedia exhibition titled “Rights & Realities: Domestic Workers’ Fight for Health & Safety” on April 25 in Los Angeles and May 9 in Oakland.

This portrait of Jo Biclar from the Pilipino Workers Center is included in the exhibit. Photo by Riccardo Stanley Mejia

Over 2 million homes across California depend on the essential care provided by more than 300,000 domestic workers – including Filipinos – such as home care workers, childcare providers, house cleaners, gardeners, cooks and day laborers – yet they remain without health and safety protections in the workplace.

“Rights & Realities” offers a poignant exploration of the lives and experiences of domestic workers across California.

The exhibit includes photos documenting the worker-led movement to win health and safety protections in the workplace, portraits of domestic workers by renowned art photographers Riccardo Stanley Mejia and Joe Ramos, and an exquisite papel picado art piece by Beatriz Vasquez.

Campaign posters in four languages, by nationally known artist and cultural worker Melanie Cervantes, who created the CDWC logo, will also be on exhibit.

Fighting for health and safety

California Senator Maria Elena Durazo, a fierce champion of domestic worker rights, will be one of the guest speakers alongside domestic workers and employers whose portraits are featured in the exhibit.

Along with the portraits are written testimonies by the worker leaders, who will continue to fight for their health and safety until they make their rights a reality.

“We, as domestic workers, always find a way to take care of our clients. We deserve to have laws that protect our health and safety at work,” writes one worker. “We are immigrants. We are domestic workers. We are human beings.”

The show includes two deeply poignant photographs of caregiver-client pairs who are members of Hand-in-Hand: The Domestic Employers Network.

All portraits featured in the exhibition are windows into the lives and stories of the people behind the work. Each piece captures the unique essence and personality of its subject, offering viewers a glimpse into the rich tapestry of human experience that defines the world of domestic labor.

“We are excited to present this pop-up exhibition, ‘Rights & Realities”’ as a platform to amplify the voices and stories of California’s domestic workers,” says Megan Whelan Escobar, deputy director of CWDC.

“Through the medium of art, we hope to foster greater understanding and appreciation for the invaluable contributions of this workforce, and to inspire action and transformation in this industry.”

The opening takes place on Thursday, April 25, 5-8 p.m. at START Los Angeles gallery, 2270 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90006.

The “Rights & Realities” exhibit will also travel to the Bay Area and open on Thursday, May 9 at Oakstop, 1721 Broadway, Oakland.