Icons exhibition at Woman Made Gallery
opening reception Friday Nov. 21, 6-9 pm
juried by Margaret Denny
Nov. 21 - Dec. 18 2008
685 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
click here to see more works in the ICONS exhibition

I have 2 pieces in this upcoming exhibition. These works are from a series entitled Signs of Women. In 2005, while working on a research paper I found myself looking for synonyms of the word “woman”. I was shocked to discover that so many of the so-called synonyms were both completely offensive and belittling (such as prostitute or cupcake) or they referred to the ways in which women served or related to others (wife, maid, etc.). I realized that there aren’t many synonyms for women that are positive or that don’t involve subservience to others. So what do these synonyms for women say about the representation, status, and iconography of women today?

Signs of Women presents silhouetted figures along with “synonyms” of women. This project questions the way both language and imagery determines our understanding of women. The images are engraved on plastic plaques reminiscent of the signs we see on bathroom doors, everyday icons that reduce us to, and sort us into, symbols.

Icons at Woman Made Gallery features 3 other Columbia alumni/students: Liz Chilsen, Mary Farmilant, and Niki Grangruth. The exhibition was juried by Columbia faculty, Margaret Denny. I'm proud to be part of this exhibition, which adds some much needed, and sorely missed, female perspectives to contemporary photography. I hope YOU will see the exhibition and support women artists, and Woman Made Gallery!