The Binary Absurd: Still Life Drawings as Visual Metaphors for Gendered Experiences
Exhibition dates: November 9 - 16, 2021
Angel Hair, Soft Pastel and Pastel Pencil on Pastel Card, 2020
Sack Lunch, Soft Pastel and Pastel Pencil on Paper, 2020
Shocked No. 1,Soft Pastel and Pastel Pencil on Pastel Card, 2020
Shocked No. 2,Soft Pastel and Pastel Pencil on Pastel Card, 2021
Shocked No. 3,Soft Pastel and Pastel Pencil on Pastel Card, 2021
Shell It Out, Soft Pastel and Pastel Pencil on Paper, 2020
Artist Statement
Ideas and images of masculinity and femininity permeate many aspects of life in the 21st century, with popular products, media, fashion, and politics often attempting to define the lines between genders. As a consequence of this omnipresence of gender related biases in mainstream media and culture, attempts at discussing the impacts of gendered stereotypes, roles and experiences are frequently overshadowed or met with disregard as a result of a lack of existing intersubjectivity between individuals directly aware of gender-related issues and individuals not directly aware of gender-related issues.
In an effort to heighten engagement within the broader discourse of gender and gendered experiences, highly colorful drawn images of distinctly familiar and absurd still-life scenarios create a set of universally relatable visual metaphors which strive to address current issues and experiences personal to the artist. Through this absurd manipulation of familiar objects, imagery and themes which are often associated with gender stereotypes, a dialogue is created, and audiences are invited to view and understand each artwork through the lens of their own personal experience.