A Radical Turn: Artist, Curator, and Anti-War Veteran Aaron Hughes on Creative Resistance

Aaron Hughes is an artist, curator and anti-war veteran whose work addresses the trauma and impact of war on individuals and communities. Drawing from his own military experience, Hughes uses printmaking, installation, and collaboration to honor anti-war veteran movements and challenge militarism. His art transforms everyday materials — like uniforms and protest banners — into tools for dialogue, healing, and resistance. This lecture explores how art can reveal complex histories, foster connection, and inspire social action. Through community-based projects and interdisciplinary practices, Hughes examines political violence, authoritarianism, and collective trauma while imagining paths toward justice, liberation, and more inclusive democratic participation.