“Artists Respond to Politics” Exhibition
Bronx Art Space
[Image: Ruth Rodriguez "Pink Couch with an Orange Sentiment" (2018) 60 x 38 in.]
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Performance by JP-Anne Judy Giera a ritual for trans affirmation, 7pm
Curated by Deborah Yasinsky
#ListenBAS
Binary gender profiling begins pre-birth. Testing assigns a sex in utero and the inculcation of the gender divide begins, from the unveiling parties that have arisen with gendered cakes assigned colors and symbols to highly specific offerings in clothing, toys and accessories for children. From the boy/girl lineup present in many schools to the numbers of women entering STEM careers, gender is ubiquitous, LISTEN: Artists Respond to Politics, explores the diversity of responses among 13 cis and trans women and gender non-conforming artists to our current political times and the #MeToo movement. Political upheaval forces society to name the wrong, to define oneself, to advocate for the rights of ourselves and others, and to respond to oppression of all marginalized groups. The artists explore social, political and gender constructs and how they play a part in sexual harassment, assault and the emergence of the #MeToo movement. Is there a direct correlation to how one is depicted and how they are treated? How are sexualized depictions of women in the media contributing to sexual assault? How are trans women and gender non-conforming persons represented in the media? How can the tide be shifted? In these troubling times voices need to be heard. We want you to listen and respond. Visitors will be asked to share their reactions, ideas and plans for confronting these issues.
Francheska Alcantara’s work explores Caribbean culture and the diaspora. Alcantara examines core aspects of the #MeToo movement and the public and private aspects of coming forward about sexual assault and harassment. Seyi Adebanjo is a gender-non-conforming trans artist whose film focuses on the impact queer/trans/gender non-conforming persons are having in the Bronx and living proudly, with joy and boldness. Lizzy Alejandro’s work addresses menstrual equality and taxation of sanitary products as luxury items, encasing sanitary products in gold and jewels bringing to light the lack of equity in access to women’s health needs. Pamela Cortez’s digitally manipulated photographs depicts women as both powerful and delicate, possessing the ability to carry and give life. Based on the artist’s experience as a transgender femme-identified individual, JP-Anne Judy Giera’s mixed media installation elucidates the complexities of public restroom use for transgender people and transforms it into a sacred space, a holder of “holy water”. Barbara King creates paper installations evocative of femininity and decoration. These cut paper patterns are presented in undulating rhythmic formations. Jody MacDonald explores identity, hierarchies, and stereotypes through poetry and humor in her sculptural figures. Wyeth Moss focuses on sexual identity, abuse, mental illness, and healing through ancestral remedies in detailed figurative drawings. Gina Randazzo documents protests and rallies through photography capturing the spirit of protesters through intense and colorful photographs. Ruth Rodriguez’s work questions the quality and validity of ornament, her figurative work is embedded in rich patterning, inspired by Afro-Caribbean and American Pop culture. Christine Sloan Stoddard’s work explores gender expectations through her vivid piece of a bloody vagina and poem. Rosemary Taylor’s mixed media collages confront representations of the female body in media and race and gender in voting patterns. Sima Schloss’s work contains a raw emotionality using layers of vellum creating depth of experience and a luminous quality of a person turned inside out.
Deborah Yasinsky is an artist, curator and the Curator of Education at Lehman College Art Gallery. Deborah has exhibited at Dominican University, Local Project Art Space, 14 Street Y Gallery, Trestle Online Gallery, Greenpoint Gallery, Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition, Riverfront Art Gallery, Urban Studio Unbound, Blue Door Gallery, Pubic Appliance, YoHo Artists, Purchase College PC4, and YAW. Currently she is an MFA in painting candidate at LC, CUNY, she holds an M.S., Ed in Museum Education from Bank Street College of Education, a BA in Fine Arts from Stern College, YU, and an AAS in Textile/Surface Design from FIT.
Free Workshops + Events
RSVP at www.withfriends.co/bronxartspace
Mi Casa Writers Workshop Thursday, February 28, 7-8pm
One Book I One Bronx Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi organized by Literary Freedom Project
Tuesdays, March 5 - April 2, 6-8pm
Panel Discussion moderated by Kiara Ventura Friday, March 8, 6-9pm
Mi Casa Open Mic Wednesday, March 13, 7-8pm
Curatorial Tour
Thursday, March 14, 6:30-7:30pm
Gather.Chat.Grow. Teen Dialogue Thursday, March 21, 6-9pm
Artist Panel Discussion moderated by Deborah Yasinsky Thursday, March 28, 6-9pm
Family Program | Collages + Portrait Workshop with Ruth Rodriguez
Saturday, March 30, 1-3pm
Media
Schedule
from February 27, 2019 to April 06, 2019
Opening Reception on 2019-02-27 from 18:00 to 20:00