The pieces in this show all exemplify the theme of interconnected realities. The meanings as well as the materiality of each piece bring to light the different ways that separate identities and ideas can be layered together, or interwoven. Through the use of visual layers, these artists express hard concepts of life; sickness, childhood trauma, gendering and gender censorship. Unfortunately in today’s world, these issues overlap and are still prominent and common issues that people in our society face.
Sullivan’s piece, It’s My Party, gouache on paper, 14 x 21 inch brings up the ageism present in not listening to what children have to say. Kids have valuable voices and it is essential that we hear things from their perspectives especially in cases of abuse and mistreatment.
Martins’ paintings, titled Luxury, and Dissatisfied, touch upon themes of womanhood, gendering, emotions, and vulnerability. The acrylic paintings are full of layers of different colors that help get the messages across. The upper right of Dissatisfied, is bumpy and green, which directly contrasts with the smooth and reddish toned leg of the subject. Martins’ use of brushstroke is deliberate, which we see in Luxury Items since the color palette consists of warm pinks and purples.
Joelle’s digital collages, creating space: organic world i, ii, iii, include painted portions, paper with flowers embedded,and digital effects. She uses the different dimensions that a digital space provides to create a new environment through texture. All three parts of the triptych include layers of branch-like lines across the page, as well as diamond shapes that include pattern and color into the composition. Each piece has zero, one, or two human figures present.
Marshall’s work, Unwoven, is a weaving within a frame, incorporating pieces of unprimed canvas along with other textile materials. The piece uses enticing textures to draw the viewer in, and it brings to light the difficult disposition of coming to terms with your experience in a global pandemic.
Cordasco’s piece Nipple, uses a bike wheel, string, and yarn to depict a nipple. The work has to do with society’s harmful views on women and gender, and the censorship of “female nipples.” The idea that some body parts are acceptable on certain people based on gender is rooted in shame and misogyny, and also enforces the gender binary. There is even shame cast upon women who need to breastfeed their children, which is a very normal and necessary activity for most mothers and babies. The constant forced sexualization of females and their bodies is harmful and is holding women back. It is important for people to recognize that gender is a social construct, and that nipples should not be censored based on gender.