CLARITY IN THE FEMALE GAZE

Feminist Expressions: Invitational Show featuring Kentucky Foundation for Women Artist Enrichment Grantees

Review by Kaylyn Taylor

Entire contents are copyright © 2019, Kaylyn Taylor. All rights reserved.

Kayla Bischoff, in her curatorial statement of the Kaviar Forge Gallery’s exhibit of Feminist Expressions, states, “Feminism isn’t one thing.” And, to paraphrase further, neither is feminist art. This seventeen-artist exhibit demonstrates this multiplicity through an array of methods and subject matter. The various artists’ expertise in their respective media clearly articulates their unique perspectives on subjects ranging from personal to political. The unifying thread throughout this exhibit is clarity.

Jennifer Hart’s pieces “Black and White #3” and “Black and White #5”, as well as Debra Lott’s “Delusions” directly address the challenge of the “the male gaze”. Per her artist’s statement, Hart’s pieces explore dehumanization in pornography. The traditionally female medium of fabric is transformed into near relief sculptural pieces depicting nude female torsos. The images are expertly rendered in black and white and are embellished with a quilt like stitching as if drawing with thread. The otherwise flat images are given movement and depth with a curvilinear vine pattern. Accordingly, the horizontal lines are further defined by horizontal stitching, adding more depth to the image, and greater movement to the curved lines. By overlaying the impersonal, objectified torso with a subtle, delicate, organic pattern, natural energy is restored to the female form.

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