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Women Artists
Strike Back!
On The Verge...Young Women Artists
The African American Museum of
Philadelphia |
The battle for visual supremacy
is being fought by a group of practitioners new to the contemporary
art world. On The Verge...Young Women Artists, currently on display
at The African American Museum in Philadelphia combines statements
on class and social structure, mixed with fine art that explores
abstraction, representation and individual philosophy. These nine
artists skillfully infuse raw talent into works ranging from ceramic
sculpture (Rachel Reser), drawing and painting (Lisette Morel, Ayanah
Moor, Judelka Florival), photography (Nzingah Muhammad), film (Aishah
S. Simmons), mixed media (Ayana Evans, Quashelle Curtis) and installation
art (Kim Mayhorn). Ranging in age from 25 to 31,"these artists
are from the first generation to fully reap the benefits of the
Civil Rights Movement", states Dejay Byrd the exhibition's
curator.
Contained in two galleries, On The Verge begins with a combination
of works that reflect abstract interpretations of nature, and unusual
occurrences from within its void. Rachel Rese's raku clay and terra
cotta vessels-simplistic in design, yet elegant in form are inspired
by traditional African building techniques, adorned with names such
as Earth's Fire and Mother Vessel. Complimentary in theme to Reser's
works are those of painter Lisette Morel. Her series of black and
white oil paintings construct a mysteriously layered world of line,
shape and texture. Her abstractions evolve in form and technique
from a minimalist approach with Untitled (an all-white painting),
to other works that resemble branches from the inner reaches of
a forest of trees. Most compelling in this gallery is a reconstruction
of a lynch scene set in a forest environment. "This installation
really makes one reevaluate the nature of violence in our community,
based on historical accounts" states Angela Green, the museum's
Education Director. Kim Mayhorn's "A Woman Was Lynched The
Other Day..." proves to be quite a provocative and emotional
experience for its viewers, as they are encouraged to enter the
space to touch, read, hear and "feel" its components.
Gallery 2 presents us with works that embody a more "representational"
view of the black female. Nzingah Muhammad's large format color
photographs present a self-portrait of the artist raised in the
Muslim faith searching for her place in "contemporary society",
without losing grips with family and tradition. Issues of homosexuality,
rape and identity are explored in Aishah S. Simmons's engrossing
short film abruptly called NO! Just when you thought you've seen
it all, you find yourself standing in front of three alluring drawings
of attractive young black women dressed in lingerie-who appear to
look Caucasian, however they have black skin and white lips. A play
on "blackface" perhaps? Ayanah Moor's pop-influenced works
force another examination of female identity, based on western beauty
standards. Intensifying the study even further, Ayana Evans presents
us with a work entitled I'm Ret To Go, her version of the African
American beauty aesthetic made into a collection of papier-mache
masks. Evans's works, adorned with skin tone, hair texture, jewelry
and lipstick are uniquely reflective of black culture from various
generations. Quashelle Curtis also utilizes mixed media to create
a series of three "Negro dolls" resembling crude versions
of Barbie, and seem to consciously attack the notion of an imposed
commercial beauty standard. Rich, colorful paintings by Haitian-born
artist Judelka Florival appear quite surreal in their depiction
of the artistŐs feelings toward the societal issues faced in her
homeland. In this exhibition, these young women make self-exploration
the standard by which to evaluate their work. One may conclude many
things about these artists at this point in their lives, however,
I believe they are certain to make beautiful noise in the near future.
- Adrian Loving |
See the AAMP's InLiquid gallery
page
On The Verge...Young Women Artists.
Through May 21, 2000
African American Museum in Philadelphia
701 Arch Street, Philadelphia.
215.574.0380.
www.aampmuseum.org
Adrian Loving is an exhibition designer
and freelance writer.
a_loving@hotmail.com
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