FCA’s virtual series for the month of May includes photos from an event we participated with in February. On a cold evening in Chicago, the Beauty Gallery took place at the campus of Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) through the campus organization Feminists United. FCA had the chance to talk with the creator of this event, Breanne. She enthusiastically explained her passion and desire through this show. FCA is excited to feature an up-and-coming feminist, her work and inspiration.
How did you come up with the idea for the Beauty Gallery?
I came up with the idea for beauty gallery because I saw the dove beauty campaign. It made me realize how important it was to me that everyone realized that they were both beautiful on the inside and out. Further more, I wanted people to know that there was no specific mold that defined beauty and they didn’t have to try to be something that they personally didn’t see fit. I thought it was especially important on IIT’s campus because we are a different group of people, we focus on school and stuff that makes us unique. I thought that our student body would make a perfect group to demonstrate the different types of beauty! On IIT’s campus you are more likely to get noticed for having a high GPA than having perfect skin or a rockin’ bod. I think hearing everyone’s idea of beauty as well as seeing them very natural and happy was a good way to emphasize the beauty that comes from within.
How did you decide how to execute your idea?
I decided to execute my idea after many lunch/coffee meetings with the Feminists United founder Meagan Sarratt. She was super encouraging and helped me to work out some kinks in the planning. Originally the plan was a lot different and involved the individuals photographed taking very raw/natural photos. They still would have been able to wear whatever they wanted but they would have been asked to wear very neutral colors as to emphasize their natural beauty. I decided with help from the current Feminists United eboard that allowing more freedom would better execute what I had in mind and thus just provided really simplistic backgrounds.
What was your inspiration for this project?
As previously mentioned the Dove campaign that I had seen in a magazine. It shows individuals of all different sizes and talks about how beautiful they are. As well there is a video on you tube that goes through the step by step of how photo shopped most magazine pictures are and it was very eye opening. I think that too many people, girls especially, are focused on the far from ideal expectations set by the media and I think it is a problem and this was my way of spreading the word.
Do you consider this work feminist? If so, why?
I do consider this work feminist. I think this because the beauty gallery strives to raise awareness of the pressures put on individuals to look a certain way or be a certain way. It is apparent in both genders however, I believe that more often than not, the women in the media are the ones that are distorted to fit an unrealistic image. I also think it is important to realize that men are not here to define what makes a woman beautiful, nor is the media, it is entirely up to each person and without these preconceived ideals I think that the idea of ‘beauty’ would be a lot broader because individuals would be more willing to open their eyes to unconventional beauty as well as interior beauty.
Feminist Creative Alliance is happy to support Rape Victim Advocates’ annual poetry/spoken word event on April 19th, 2012! See the details below! Confirmed readings by: Sandra Posadas, Stephanie Lane Sutton, and one of FCA’s board members, Lachrista Greco! Come out and support a great cause!
Rape Victim Advocates presents the 5th Annual, “Breaking the Silence Poetry Night”
Thursday, April 19th
7-10 pm
Cafe Mestizo, 1738 W. 18th Street
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Please join us for coffee, refreshments, and empowerment through the arts!
For more info, contact Megan at: cchmedical@rapevictimadvocates.org
ARTIST STATEMENT
I feel my work relates to feminism because as a woman I am empowered by my sexuality and the control I have regained over my own body that was once a product of sexual violence, as well as the limitations and constrictions placed upon women in society. As a survivor of rape and molestation, it is important for me to assert my power as a woman, to turn the objectification of my body and soul into my own artistic vision, as well as to help other young girls and women find a path to freedom. My body is my voice. I am not damaged goods. I am not a victim. I am living proof that trauma is not the end of the road, it is the beginning of the journey.
I identify with feminism not because I am a woman, but because I believe in equality. I do not see my gender as a weakness, nor will I ever let it be used against me as one. Art has strengthened my core belief in myself, as well as healed wounds inflicted on me by men in my life, strangers, and society.
I will continue to find strength in my body and I will continue to pursue happiness throughout the various phases of my womanhood. As I document my changing body, I am documenting the power of my sexuality and the healing power of time. I am documenting my dreams, desires, angst and anger as it transforms through the years, to which I hope it will show the world and other women that strength can be found if you seek it.
Artist Statement
I have been mulling over your question of how my work relates to feminism. There is the obvious unconventional gender swap of artist and subject, the beautiful young male flesh being painted by a middle aged woman, but there is more…
Feminist art arises from feminist inquiry. It arises from looking at familiar scenes/themes and asking new questions. It looks in a disruptive way. Feminist inquiry demands of the artist that they approach the carefully planned still life, and paint it from a previously unseen angle. Feminist inquiry requires the artist to look into the dark corners of the room, to write down the words of soft voices as they taper off, to keep the camera rolling after the director has shouted “cut”.
The subject itself is implicitly feminist in that I’m painting these boys as they struggle not only with an imagined opponent, but with the constraints inherent in traditional manhood’s paradigms of what is male and how they are supposed to address conflict.
Finally, in my process, all of this questioning, looking, listening, and pushing results in an art that is collaborative in it’s production. I paint the boys boxing, but they choose how they are going to portray the moment of self, the gloves, the conflict. They choose their stance and internal narrative. I record what I see, and refrain from embellishing. That the subject is involved in their own interpretation is what makes my work feminist.
Press Release:
Stumbling Towards Manhood: Emerging Vancouver artist takes a close look at the emotional life of boys
Montreal, QC – Galerie d’Avignon is pleased to present once again the visual art of Ann-Marie Brown. An emerging artist on the Canadian scene, this Vancouver-based painter is building a reputation as the newest addition to the wax-painting genre. Ms. Brown spent her twenties gaining diverse experiences that included religious studies in Europe, critical theory studies in Canada, and travels to far off regions of the world including Africa, the Middle East, and East Asia. She recently settled on a remote stretch of coast an hour by boat from Vancouver, British Columbia – a place that she says satisfies her desire for living on the edge.
Ann-Marie has devoted the last decade to working professionally as a painter in oil and wax. She joins the ranks of artists who have contributed to reviving the medium’s popularity, such as fellow Canadian Tony Scherman. Her process is daunting, consisting of heating wax to a molten state and then applying it to a canvas.
With this most recent series Ann-Marie observes: “’Stumbling Towards Manhood’ is a woman’s eye view of the formation of masculine identity. The series was born out of watching my pre-adolescent son and his peers posturing and jostling for position in a very physical way, while grappling with an onslaught of messages about what it is to be male.
I gave each model a set of adult boxing gloves when they came to the studio, then waited to see how they adjusted their stance to fit the role. The resulting paintings bear witness to pressures perceived and fears felt. Individually the paintings are intimate portraits, and as a body form a critique of the weight of expectations that young boys face.”
____________________________________________
*Artists in this series will be rotated monthly. Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis. Please submit work to with feminist.creative.alliance@gmail.com with “Virtual Art Series” in the subject line.
This month we are featuring the work of Chicago-based artist, Brandy LaChapelle.
ARTIST STATEMENT:
There are many little stories I carry around with me, they are like birds nestled next to my heart and trapped in my ribcage. They are a motley flock, some are small sparrows and others are predatory falcons, as you can imagine they often upset the natural rhythm of an otherwise normal young woman’s heartbeat. Gently, they must be set free one by one, to carry the message and hope for transformation from darkness to light. I am forever inspired by our ability as human beings to transform our strifes into powerful strengths and profound beauty. This transformation comes from expression. From telling your story, to moving your body, anytime we express our truths we become closer to the divine spirit with in us.
While the work is not overtly political, each piece is a story of feminine strength. While our culture clearly values the masculine definition of strength… of being a force, of competing and being in control of others. I seek to illustrate through both my images and my practice the kind of strength that requires letting go, having compassion and nurturing the strengths of other living beings. This is a kind of strength I associate with feminine nature. In my system of values I have strived for the the equality of the sexes – at times, having not understood completely how this would manifest. In terms of gender roles, careers, economics and representation there have been great strides by my elders. My current focus as a feminist, artist and mystic is to cultivate a view of strength that is equally valued and balanced. To do this we must first acknowledge the distinct and innate differences of the sexes, rather than saying women can do all the same things men can and vice versa. We must seek within our individual selves as feminists to find the deeper truth of what it means to be a woman and see the natural characteristics of the feminine as essential in creating culture as the characteristics of the masculine.
In my art practice I strive to collaborate with the natural elements using Suminagashi, a form of Japanese marbling. The design is manipulated on the surface of water and gently transferred to silk. Many variables affect the final result, from the temperature of the water to the movement of air in the room. I am fascinated and inspired by the process of balancing my skill with the mediums unpredictable aspects.
To see more of Brandy’s work, please visit:
www.brandylachapelle.com
www.brandylachapelle.wordpress.com
www.brandylachapelleyoga.com
____________________________________________
*Artists in this series will be rotated monthly. Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis. Please submit work to with feminist.creative.alliance@gmail.com with “Virtual Art Series” in the subject line.