As an artist and educator, I share in the vision
of artist Miriam Shapiro of the long-range influence
of feminism on modern art:
…if women commit themselves to the feminist
education of men…if they name and affirm their
own creativity, if they refuse to see themselves
as the second sex, if they sustain the progress
toward gender equity, then it is a certainty that
feminism will continue to affect art as well as
life. Feminism is the philosophy that will facilitate
the changes that are needed – in relationships
between men and women, and in the struggle between
the powerful and the powerless (Broude, Garrard
1994, p. 83).
Shapiro’s words inspire me to create art which
provokes men and women to question the prevailing
roles of women as portrayed in our media saturated
society. Artistic imagery becomes an antithesis of
the culturally dominate icons to which we are exposed.
I create alternative icons to counteract the affects
of consumer oriented, commodity based imagery.
The canvas edges are extended with coarse pumice
gels. My harvested amrita fluid, acrylic paint and
pumice are layered with a palette knife to achieve
an aged textural surface. To return my amrita fluid
to my paintings allows me to integrate my sexuality
and creativity, thus reclaiming my sexual experience
as a true symbol of my creativity. This conscious
and deliberate act quietly challenges the notion of
male sexual pleasure as the ultimate achievement,
which I perceive as the single most significant contributor
to
the imbalance in heterosexual relationships and the
subsequent impediment of satisfying, mutual nurturing.
Artist
Statement: