Human Currents

Reception: April 18th from 5-7pm

stArt.dt, Wake Downtown

Artist Statement:

The sun had barely risen over the mountain range, casting a golden hue over the small village nestled in the valley below. The rhythmic sound of water flowing from a nearby stream filled the air, as people gathered by the riverbank to fetch water for the day ahead. In this community, like many others, the flow of water wasn’t just a daily task—it was a lifeline, a symbol of survival, and yet, for so many, it was also a source of hardship.

At the river’s edge, a young woman crouched beside a collection of clay pots, carefully filling them with water as she had done every morning for years. She thought about how much had changed since the first time she had visited this village—how she had once felt overwhelmed by the persistent struggle, the lack of clean water that defined so much of these people’s lives.

But in the years since, things had begun to shift. Organizations like Wine to Water had stepped in, working with leaders in the community to design and provide simple yet effective solutions: sustainable water filters, community education, and the building of systems that could change the very nature of life here. The young woman, now an active volunteer with the organization, had witnessed firsthand the incredible transformation that clean water could bring—healthier families, brighter futures, and, perhaps most poignantly, the chance for people to be more than just survivors. They could become changemakers, advocating for a better world.

As she watched the morning fog dissipate over the river, she reflected on how water, in all its forms, connected people in ways far deeper than just a shared need. It had the power to shape lives, spark movements, and create spaces where justice could flow as freely as the rivers themselves.

This is the story that artist Roksanna Keyvan seeks to tell in her latest exhibition, Human Currents. Through a series of digital collages inspired by her work with Wine to Water and the communities she has collaborated with in the Dominican Republic, Nepal, and Colombia, Roksanna explores the relationship between water, justice, and environmental stewardship. These photos were collected from real-time impact missions led by Wine to Water, depicting a very real glimpse into the humanitarian work the organization does. In her work, water flows through every image, weaving together personal stories, global challenges, and the universal need for sustainability.

Commentary from the Artist

Art has always been my chosen medium for storytelling—a way to weave together the personal and the universal, the intimate and the global. My journey as an artist is deeply intertwined with my work as an advocate for environmental and social justice. The intersection of these two paths has led me to a body of work that reflects both the urgency of the global water crisis and the quiet, yet profound, ways in which water shapes our lives. Through my art, I aim to spark conversation, reflection, and ultimately, action, around issues of sustainability, human rights, and the fragile yet enduring connections we share with our environment.

This spring, I am honored to present Human Currents, a collection of digital collages that reflect my ongoing work with Wine to Water, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing clean, safe water to underserved communities around the world. Since joining Wine to Water as an intern in July 2023, I have had the privilege of working closely with local leaders in the Dominican Republic, Nepal, and Colombia to develop sustainable water solutions. This hands-on experience has allowed me to directly witness the transformative impact that access to clean water has on communities—improving health, empowering women, and enabling economic opportunities.

My role involved monitoring the distribution of water filters, conducting site evaluations, and engaging with local stakeholders to understand their unique needs and challenges. I also analyzed a wealth of photographs documenting daily life in these communities—images that captured not just the struggle but also the resilience, beauty, and hope that thrive despite the barriers to access. It is from these images, and the stories they tell, that Human Currents was born.

The work explores the flow of water through space—not just as a physical force but as a metaphor for the interconnectedness of humanity. Water, the essential lifeblood of our planet, shapes cultures, identities, and livelihoods in profound ways. Yet, its availability remains a privilege for some and a struggle for others. My collages are a visual representation of these contrasting realities, interweaving elements of environmental stewardship, social justice, and the power of community resilience. Each piece is a meditation on the ways in which water flows through our lives, shaping not only the landscape but also the social, economic, and cultural fabric of our existence.

At the core of Human Currents is a call to action: to recognize water as a fundamental human right, to consider the stories behind every drop, and to understand the global responsibility we share in safeguarding this vital resource for future generations. The collages in this series are not just art; they are advocacy, encouraging viewers to see beyond the surface and to consider the deeper currents that connect us all.This exhibition is a testament to the power of art to bring awareness to issues that matter. Through the lens of my work with Wine to Water, I hope to invite viewers into a space of contemplation and dialogue—where the connection between humanity and the environment is not just seen but felt. Water is life, and through Human Currents, I invite you to join me in reflecting on the role we all play in protecting that life for the generations to come.