A World of Our Own, Group Exhibition

AworldofOurOwn

Agroupexhibitionofgreatartists, someyoumayknow,othersyoushould!

Aswomenitseemswhateverfieldwearein,whethersmallbusiness,professional,entrepreneurship,the arts,wearealwaysreferredtoas“women”inthatfield.Iamproudtobeawomenandonewhoisan entrepreneurinthebusinessofthearts&hospitality.But,likemost,Istrivetobethebestwhenmeasured againstALLothersinthosefields,notsolelycomparedtootherwomen.

“AWORLDOFOUROWN”isagroupexhibitionofartworksbyinspiringartists.Artistswhohavepushed throughobstaclesandadversity,havevaluablestoriestoshareandcreateartworkthatwillholdtheir messageforgenerationstocome.Eachoftheseartistssharestheirownpathorcreatesartthatsharesthe pathofotherswhosestoriestheychoosetoreveal.Thisexhibitionincludesavarietyofmediums, symbolismandtechniquesthatwillallowviewerstoexperiencetexture,lightandmovementthrough painting,ceramics,blacksmithing,printmaking,photographyandtextilework.

Theworksarecreatedbycontemporaryartists!Theyareestablishedartistswithyearsofexperience, retiredteachersofartnowexploringnewpaths,midcareerandemergingartists,allunderoneroof.The establishedartistsbringtotheexhibitionexperience,knowledgeandwisdom,theemergingartistsallow insightintowhatisscratchingthesurfaceofnewandyet,oftenstaysthesamewithintheartworld.

“AWORLDOFOUROWN”isacollectionofartbyadiversegroupofgreatartistswithimportantstoriesfirst andforemost,theyjusthappentobeWOMEN!Someyoumayalreadyknow,othersyoushould!

Mygoalwiththisexhibitionistoshedlightonthiscollectionof15contemporaryartistsbygrabbingthe attentionoflocal,national,andinternationalcuratorsofMuseumsandpublicartinstitutionsandart enthusiasts.

Greatartistsandtheirartworkdeservetobeinpublicplaces,visibletoasmanypeopleaspossibleinorder tolearnfromthegroundupwhatpartofhistorytheseartistswillplayanddoplayinthepresentday.

Thelackofrepresentationofwomenartistshasaprofoundimpactnotonlyontheartsandculturebutalso onsocietyasawhole.

Helpussharetheirstories.

MarinaCutler

Owner,Director&ProjectMaker,CutlerCraneContemporary&AvenueArt

AWorldofOurOwn

SylvieAdams

Montreal,Canada

SylvieAdamsisaCanadianabstractartistcurrentlylivinginMontreal(Quebec).SheholdsaBachelor ofFineArtsdegreefromConcordiaUniversity.Herworkhasbeenthesub jectofnumeroussolo exhibitionsandshehasparticipatedinmanyinternationalcontemporaryartfairs –intheUnited States,EuropeandAsia.

Shequietmesmerizingcompositionsgraduallyrevealaninnerlifeof uncannyawarenessand broodingfemininedarkness.Workingprimarilyinthetechnicalidiomof theAmericanAbstract Expressionists,Adamsperceivesherworkasthecreationofadepthoffield ,apara-dimensional spaceintowhichviewerscanprojectthemselves.Adamspaintsoveraperiodofweeks,beginning in grayscaleandgraduallyintroducingspraysandspillsofvividcolorinaprocessthatis experimental, intuitive,andactiveuponitself.

SelectedbyArtWynwood’scuratoranddirectorforanexhibitioninhonorofShepardFairey(author of Obama’s“Hope”poster)inMiamiin2017,herworkhasalsobeennoticedbyjourna listsandcritics fromBlouinArtInfoandArtnetNews,duringArtNew-Yorkin2016and2017.

Sheistherecipientof"People'sChoiceAwardinthe6theditionoftheInte rnataionalBRUSHOFF CompetitionandafeatureintheMountainLakePBSminidocumentaryTheBrushOffProject.

Herworkcanalsobefoundinprivateandcorporatecollections,includingthecollectionsof RioTinto AlcanandNorwegianCruiseLineandseveraltechstartupcompanies.

TheythoughtIwasaSurrealist,butIwasn’t. Ineverpainteddreams.

Ipaintedmyownreality.

-FridaKahlo

AWorldofOurOwn

Brasstown,NC ElizabethBelz

Elizabethisablacksmith,educator,theownerofBlackWidowForgeandisthe Blacksmithingand MetalsCoordinatoratJohnC.CampbellFolkSchool.Shewastheblacksmithingapprentic eatthe MetalMuseuminMemphis,TNfortwoyearswhereshetrainedundermastersmithJimMasterson.

ElizabethwasacrafteducationinternatNorthHouseFolkSchool,aresidentartistwith theScience MuseumofMN,aCreativeCatalystfellowandhasspentalotoftimeatcraftandfolk schoolsacross thecountry.

Elizabethhasshownherwork,competed,andtaughtblacksmithingthroughouttheUnitedStatesand internationallyandhasmostrecentlyfinishedupayearlongartistresidencyatArrowmontSc hoolof ArtsandCrafts.ShesitsontheboardoftheSocietyofInclusiveBlacksmithswhichisan international nonprofitcommittedtobuildingequityanddiversityinthefieldofblacksmithing.

Whatstartedasafascinationwithinsectanatomyquicklyevolvedintoanexplorationoftheirnarrative qualitiesandrepresentationalnaturethroughtheuseofmetal.Bydistilling theappearancesof differentspeciesintogeneralshapes,Ipushthelimitsofwhatisidentifiedas “insect”whileurging otherstoconsiderhowastoundinginsectstrulyare.

Iusesteeltocapturethesecreaturesthroughadetailedprocessinvolvingbothforging& fabrication techniques.

AWorldofOurOwn

CathyBenny

Westmount,Canada

BorninMontreal,Canada,CatherineBenny’searliestpaintingsdepictedvariousstreetscenesinand aroundherhometown.

Catherine’sworkcanbefoundinbothcorporateandgovernmentbuildingsinandaroundherCanada, aswellasinprivatecollections.Overtheyears,herrepertoirehas growntoinclude,traditional landscape,florals,abstracttextandurbanlandscapes.

Cathyhasdevelopedanapproachtopaintingovertheyearsthatinvolvesblendingcolorsdirectl yon thecanvasratherthanapalateandthenusingaspatulaorpalate knifetoachieveherdisired outcomewithoilpaints.

Herworkisalwayspulledfromthoughandneveranpresetimagewhenpainting,thisallows herwork tochangeaswellastheuseofthetextureonthe canvas;theresultsarerichandlayered backgroundsthatgivethesenseoftravelingintoapainting.

Cathyshowsherworkinternationallyandhasparticipatedinnumerouscharityauctions..

Whatstartedasamethodofescapismwhilehelpingtotakecareofhermotherlivingwith Alzheimer's herworkhasnowgoneontowinawards,bethesubjectofanAlzhiemersdocumentaryandshe hasa widerageofcollectorswithheralmostgraffitilikewordsseries.

CathyisworkingtowardsanInternationalsoloexhibition!

Words

Thisstartedduringthepandemic.Iwasgoingtothestudioeveryday,oftenaloneinthebuilding becauseoftheclosures.IwasfeelingalittleanxioussoIneededtopaint.

Ipaintedalotofflowersbutwasbeingpulledinanotherdirection.BecauseIwasnotabletoget morecanvases,Istartedwritingwordsovermyflorals.

Theworldwaschanging,thenewseverydaywasdifficulttoabsorb.Istartedwithafewwordsbut theykeptcomingsothecanvasesfilledup.Love.Peace.Hope.Respect.Empathy.

Simplewordsthatwetellourselvesandteachourchildren....Try,Listen,Share.Together.We.

Iwillcontinueputtingwordsonthecanvas,theymaybetheunderpaintingorattheforefrontbut theywillnowbepartofmyjourney.

Asawoman,amother,agrandmotherIfeelastrongsenseofoptimismifWEworkTOGETHER.

CathyBenny2023

AWorldofOurOwn

BrittneyBoydBullock

Memphis,TN

BrittneyBoydBullockisaMemphisvisualartistworkinginfiber,mixed-media,andabstraction.

AsanartistBrittneyexploresthetensionbetweensearchingandfinding,obsessionand order,and lightnessanddarknessthroughtwo-andthree-dimensionalforms.Contemplativeandpersonal,the process-drivenworksinterrogateanxietyandwonderusingmaterialsinanewway, forcingherto makemeaninginthearbitraryjumble.

BrittneyhasworkedasprojectmanagerfortheUrbanArtCommission,managingMemphis’slarges t publicartarchive.Herjourneyofcultivatingtrustandlastingrelationshipshascreatedopp ortunities forcollaborationwithvariouscommunities,organizations,andartiststhatinviteparticipationfro ma broadrangeofbackgrounds.

AsaformerfellowandpastmentoroftheRobertE.GardawardArtUpFellowshi p,herinterestsin communityengagementandsocialchangehaveledhertoanartpractice thatinvitesartiststo redefinewhytheycreate,howtheycreate,andforwhatpurposes. Local(ArtsMemphis,Assisi Foundation)andnational(KresgeFoundation)philanthropicorganizationshavefundedandsupported herworkasanartistcollaboratingwithcommunities.Shehasservedonvarious boards,advisory committees,andpanels,includinglecturingatcollegeinstitutionsandmuseums.

Whenshe’snotcreatingartorcreativeprogramsforyouth,shespendstimewith herhusbandand son,traveling,andplanninggamenightswithfamilyandfriends.

AWorldofOurOwn

MaritzaDavila

Memphis,TN

MaritzaDávilahasbeenafixtureintheMemphisartssceneformorethan threedecades.Bornin PuertoRico,DávilamovedtotheUnitedStatestostudyprint-makingatthePrattInstitutefrom where sheholdsaMasterofFineArts.ShemovedtoMemphisin1981a ndalmostimmediatelybegan teachingatMemphisCollegeofArt,wheresheremainedformorethanthirty-fiveyears,servingasthe headofprintmakingformuchofthattime.Herpassionforprintmakingisparalleledbyherpass ionfor teaching;workingwithstudentsisembeddedinhergrowthasanartist.

NowaProfessorEmerita,shecontinuestobeastrongadvocateforherstudents. Sheisalsothe owneranddirectorofAtabeiraPress,afineartsstudiowhereshecreatesandleadsworkshops.

Dávila’sdedicationtoprintmakingisrootedinherloveofprocess.Sheseeseachimportantst epthat goesintocreatingoneofherworksaspartofavoyage.The titleoftheexhibition,Journey,is evocativeofideasthatareimportanttoDávilaandarethemesinherpractice: thenotionoftravel, bothspiritualandphysical,theconceptsofbecoming,ofgrowinginto,ofdevelopmentand maturity. Heridentitiesasanartist,wife,teacher,mother,andgrandmother,allfactorintoher creations.The workinJourneyreflectsDávila’sversatilityasaprintmaker,bringingtogetherawi derangeofher printedworks,includingartist’sbooks,collo-graphs,silkaquatint,andscreenprint, sometimesall togetherinonepiece

“MyartoriginatesfromhallucinationsonlyIcansee. Itranslatethehallucinationsandobsessionalimages thatplaguemeintosculpturesandpaintings.”

-YayoiKusama

AWorldofOurOwn

AnnetteFortt

Memphis,TN

Washington,DC

A nnetteForttwasborninMemphis,Tennessee,thetenthof12children.Herearlyeducatio nwasin thepublicschoolsofMemphisandNewYorkCity.

ShereceivedtheMasterofSciencedegreefromMemphisStateUniversity(nowthe Universityof Memphis)in1966andbegananartteachingcareer.Shemadeatimelymove toNewYorkatthe heightoftheabstractexpressionistmovementin1967.Ever since,thoughherworkhas remainedrepresentationalatitscore,shehasmaintainedanawarenessoftheelementofabstraction andseekstomaintainitinthestructureanddetailsofherpaintingsandprintsandespeci ally,oflate, herassemblagesandtechinspiredwork.

WhenAnnettebeganteachingartinNewYork,shealso begantakingadvantageofmany opportunitiesintheNewYorkareatoadvanceherskills,takingartclassesatArtStudentLeag ueand studioandarthistoryclassesatNewYorkUniversityandHunterCollege.Aftermarryingand starting afamily,shetookaleavefromteachingandearnedaMasterofFineArtsdegreefrom PrattInstitute in1983.

Duringthatperiod,sheexhibitedwidelyintheNewYorkMetropolitanareauntilthefami lymovedto Washington,D.C.in1985.There,printmakingtookprecedencewhenshejoinedagroupstud ioand continuedtoworkandexhibit.

Havingspentalifetimecreating,Annette'sworkhasappearedin numeroussolo,group,and invitationalshows,andispartofbothprivateandpubliccollections.Sheispleasedto beamong10 artistsselectedforArtCart:SavingtheLegacy2016,aprojectwhoseobjectivewastodocu menther lifeworkforthearchivesofColumbiaUniversity,NewYork,NY.

HerBiblicalimageshavebeenusedthroughouttheworldforlectionariesthroughArtinthe Christian Tradition,aprojectatVanderbiltUniversity’sJeanandAlexanderHeardLibraries.

PresentlyAnnettecontinuestoliveandworkintheWashingtonDCMetropolitanArea.

AWorldofOurOwn

FOURAFRICANWOMENSERIES

ThereisgreatdiversityisthewayAfricanAmericanwomen useadornmenttoexpress themselves.Thesefourwomenreflectthatdiversityanditscreativeevolutionthroughtime.

Weseeavisualreflectionofthoseexperiencesinthedyn amicsofstyleandpersona, contributingtoavisualhistoryoftheBlackwomaninAmerica.

PRIDE-ThroughheradornmentandexpressionsheacknowledgesherAfricanheritageandher prideinallofwhosheis.

BEAUTY-Thetapestrythatiswovenbygenerationsofwomenbeforeherisacknowledged in theonesheholds,andshereflectsthebeautyinwhatshehasreceived.

ASSIMILATION-Sheisacitizenofthewholeworld,andsheembracesitcompletely.

ALLURE-Inheradornmentandpersonasheembracesallofwhatitmeanstobeawoman–awomanofcolorandheritage.

AnnetteFortt 2023

AWorldofOurOwn

BaleighKuhar

Memphis,TN

Cincinnati,OH

BaleighKuharisamixedmediaartistlivingandworkinginCincinnati,OH. ShereceivedherBFAin PaintingandDrawingfromMemphisCollegeofArtin2018.

Asachildanduptoadulthoodshewasconstantlyill.Asawomanhersicknesswasoften disregardeddue tosexismfrommedicalprofessionals.Lateritwasdiscoveredthat herillnesswastheresultof EosinophilicEsophagitisandAsthma.ThisisduetoanerrorinKuhar’sgenesthatcanbe tracedthrough thegenerationsofwomenonhermother’ssidetohergreatgrandmotherSonja.

Uponinvestigation,KuhardiscoveredthatSonjahadenduredagenocideknownasTheUkrainianFamine, orHolodomor.Thisharshfaminecausedhergreatgrandmother’sbodytonothavetoproper nutritionto preventmistakesincellDNAcopying.Generationslater,thataccidentinhergenes hasremainedand becomeapartofherlife.Kuhar'sworkexploreshowhistoryaffectsherlifenowandwhath eridentityisin connectiontotheeventsthatmadeher.

Kuharhasbeeninexhibitionssuchas“WhatRemains”atEmilyCarrUniversityinVancouver,Canada, “12 x12Exhibition”inLawrence,Kansasandthe“Bellwether’sExhibition”attheWestTennes seeRegional ArtCenterinJackson,Tennessee,“PastPresent,andPINK”atCutlerCraneGalleryinMemphis,TN, and wasonadiscussionpaneltitled“EmbodimentinCollage:Mind,BodyandRememberingTrauma ofPast Generations”withartistSarahCastilloatKolajFestinNewOrleans,Louisiana.

Fields

AcrylicandPhotoTransferonBurlapBagStructuredwithGlue 30x48x12in

"HollowBodies"Series

The"HollowBodies"seriesfocusesonthestoryofBaleighKuhar's greatgrandmotherwho survivedHoolodomor,commonlyknownastheRedFamine.In1932-1933RussiandictatorJoseph Stalinstartedthisman-madefamineinordertohalttheUkrainiannationalistmovementand keep theregionunderUSSRcontrol.Wheatharvestsandfoodreserveswereseizedcreatingmassfood shortagesthatcausedthedeathofmillionsofUkrainians.Whilethereisnodefinitenumberof how manyperishedinthefamine,estimatesrangebetween3to10millionpeople.

DuringthiscrisisKuhar'sgreatgrandmother,Sonja,escapedinthetrunkof acar,eventually makingittoGermany.

"HollowBodies"focusesonSonjaasasurvivorandacatalysttocarrythestoryofth oseaffected byHolodomor.OnthefrontofeachoftheburlapbagsarephotosofSonja'slife afterthefamine. Eachbaghastheimageplacedandscrubbedinatransfertechniquetounearthher image.Next, layersofpaintandeditingbringforwardphantomimagesthatescapedtheinformationbla ckout surroundingthefamine.Theburlapbagisfixedintoahollowshell,echoingthee mptybodiesof peopleofUkraineandthebagsofgrainthatwereconfiscated.Sonjaandtheimagesthat survived serveasaremindertotellthestoriesofthosewhocan't,andaconstantquestionofwha titmeans tocomefromthosewhosurvived. BaleighKuhar 2023

AWorldofOurOwn

JeriLedbetter

Memphis,TN

JeriLedbetter’sabstractpaintingsexplorethecompetitionforsurvivalbetweennatureandindu stry. InspiredbytheshoresoftheMississippiRivernearherhome,Ledbe tterexploresthedynamic relationshipsbetweentheman-madestructuresalongtheriverandthenaturalforcesofwater, wind, andtimethataffectthem.

Herabstractwork,Flightincludesgesturalstrokes,lines,anddripsofgrays,reds, andtansonthe surface.Ledbetterreliesonthespontaneousactionofaccumulatinganderasingpaintandpe ncilto allowthepaintingtounfold.Sheincorporateslargebrushstrokesresultinginintricatea ndpowerful works.Relyingontheguideofanunexpectedlineorpaintsplatter,themeaningoftheworkemer ges.

HerworksarecollectedthroughoutNorthAmericaandcanbefoundingalleriesinDallasTx ,Atlanta GeorgiaandherinMemphisTN.

Thisisjustauseofspace

andform:it'sanambivalenceofformsandspace.

-JoanMitchell

AWorldofOurOwn

HelenaMcConochie

Sidney,Australia

HelenaMcConochie’sisacelebratedartistwithdistinctioninthefineartworld.Shehasbeenpai nting andexhibitionforthepastdecadeinAustraliaandNorthAmerica.

Herworkisrecognizedbyitscolorpaletteandthelarge-scale,slightly croppedflowersthatshe shareswithherviewers.Sheoffersanexplorationintoexquisitebeauty,color andcontourwithin eachsubject.Theseephemeralsubjectsareevocative,drawingtheviewerindeepertoanothertime, anotherlandscape.

With3acresofruralgardenandapassionformacrophotographyshephotographsher flowersand thencroppedimagesbeforeturningtohercanvastogivethemanewlifeinamoderncontext.

Usingonlywhiteandthreeprimecolorstoformapalette,shebuildsupl ayersofpainttoachieve transparencyanddepth.Thelargescaleimagesdrawstheviewerinandallow sthemtobecome engrossedinshape,formandfinetextures.

Shehashadsoloshowsoverthepast7yearswhichincludesNe wYork,TorontoCanadaand Australia.Sheandherworkshasbeenwrittenaboutinhome,artanddesignpublications.

HerworksarefoundthroughoutAustralia,andNorthAmericawithrepresentationhereinMemphisby CutlerCraneContemporary.McConochie’sartisnowauniquelineoftextiles.

WaterdropsonPeoniesSeries

Vitaltoourexistencewomen,nature,&water

Flowershavebeenanintegralpartofthehumanexperiencespanningthegamutofinterpretations throughouthistory;sacred,artistic,decorative,uniqueandscientific,butalways,theirbeautyenjoyed.

Artiststraditionallychooseflowersassubjects,forthechallengetheyposeintheirvarietyofform,and colourandtextures.Theeleganceandvisualsimplicitycanoftenleadonetooverlookthetechnicalskill neededtorenderthevibrant,complexsubtletiesofcolorandformuniquetoflowers.

Ourpresentenvironmentalcrisisworldwideistakingitstollonallournaturalwonders,mywayof drawingattentiontothisistoincludethesubtleadditionofwaterdropsonthepetalsofmyflowerswithin mypaintingstoencouragetheviewertobemindfulofwaterandtheimportancetopreserveit..

LivinginAustralia,wherewehaverecentlyexperiencedaLaNinoandtheyarenowpredictingan ElNiñoitisevedentweallneedtodosomething.

Comingfromafamilyofthreegirlsandhavingfourdaughtersmyself,Ichoosetobridgethatrelation inmyworkbynamingeachworkinthisseriesbyagirlsnameandtheadditionofwaterdropsonmy paintings.

Thisenablesmetoalsocelebratemyfamilyofstrongprofessionalwomen!

HelenaMcConochie2023

AWorldofOurOwn

AngeeMontgomery

Hernando,MS

AngeeMontgomeryisacontemporaryAmericanpainterwho createsgesturalpaintingsin conversationwiththenaturalworld.HerpassionforvisualartledtoaBFA fromtheUniversityof Memphisin2014andmanycreativeprofessionsdottingherpathasayoungartistsu chasGraphic Artist,CreativeEducatorandCommunityArtsDirectorfortheDeSotoArtsCouncil.Shecurrentlylives andworksinHernando,Mississippi.

HerworkhasreceivednumerousregionalawardssuchasFirstPlaceinOxford’sBiggestBaddestA rt ExhibitionandHonorableMentioninMeridianMuseum’s47thBiennial.Shehasr eceivedseveral Mississippigrantstohelpgrowthecreativeeconomyinherhomestate ,recentlylaunchingthe MotherlandCreativeRetreatin2022-anaturebasedartist’sretreatinbeautifulruralMississippi.

Montgomery’spaintingsschismbackandforthbetweenthedomesticandthewild,blendingtheli nes betweennature&nurture.Themotivationisdrivenbyacelebrationforhersurroundingsandcuriosi ty forwhatcouldbe.Directobservationmingleswithimaginationandplayasshese ekstocreatively infusethepresenceoflushnaturalspacesintoherpaintings.Workingwithsurfaceandbuildingupth e paintinlayersincentraltoherprocess.Thereisalwaysanemphasisongestureandmark- makingto giveeachworkapoeticpower.

AWorldofOurOwn

RebeccaNorton

Louisville,KY

Primarilyidentifyingasapainter,Norton'spracticetodateincludes arangeofmaterialsand technology.Herworkisinformedbyarobustintriguewithcolortheory,alove ofgeometry,andan endlesscuriosityconcerningstructuresofperceptionandthenaturethereof.

RebeccaNortonisanartist,curator,andeducator.ShereceivedherBFA fromtheUniversityof Louisvillein2004andherMFAfromtheArtCenterCollegeofDesign in2010.Norton'sworkis includedinpermanentcollectionsat21CHotelLouisville,theKentuckyMuseumofArtandCraft, and theKentuckyMuseumatWesternKentuckyUniversity.

SheistherecipientofawardsandgrantsfromthePuffinFoundation,2011,See.me

2013Painting CategoryWinner,2014,M.A.HadleyFellowship,2016,theKentuckyFoundationforWomen Artist EnrichmentGrant,2019,andtheGreatMeadowsArtistProfessionalDevelopmentGrant, 2019& 2020.NortonhasbeenacontributingwriterforArtsinBushwickandAbstractCritical.

HerlecturesandwritingshavebeenpublishedonMOCAtv,theBrooklynRail,DukeUniversityScalar publications,andBlacksunLit.Shecurrentlyworksasanindependentcurator forTheCommon GalleryinLouisvilleandservesonthecommitteeforartsandprogramming atPayneHollowin TrimbleCounty,Kentucky.Rebeccaisco-founderandprogramdirectorforOrbitandMaybeIt'sFate, anartsandcultureestablishmentandfor-profitmember-basedartistcooperativebasedinLouisville.

RebeccalivesandworksinKentucky.

Therewasneitherhorizon,cloud,norsound;of thatpink,spreadsilenceevenIhadbecome part,belongingasmuchtoskyastoearth.

-EmilyCarr

AWorldofOurOwn

KarenRadiloff

Germanton,TN

KarenisasecondgenerationartistbasedoutofGermantown,Tennessee,butbornand raisedaTexan.Painting,forher,beganasanoutletforhealing,andquicklyturnedinto alifenecessity.Eachoneofherpiecesisaworkoflove, fullofindividualityand personality.

Sheworksprimarilyinacrylic,oftenincludingoil,oilpastel,inks,and/ orhandmade papers.Herloveofcolorisapparentthroughoutherabstractworks.

"Whilesomeartistsstartoffwithaplananddon'tstray,Iletthecolorsandtools dothe talkingandguidemethroughtheprocess.I'vealwaystriedtolistentomyintuition,and it'snodifferentwithmyart.I'mattractedto,andinspiredby,the 'imperfect'.It'sso fulfillingtohavepeopleconnectwithsomethingthatissopersonaltome."

Karen'sworkscanbefoundinprivateandpubliccollections.

AWorldofOurOwn

CarolSams

Memphis,TN

CarolSamswasBorn,1952,KnoxvilleTennessee

ShegraduatedfromUniversityofTennesseeKnoxville,withaBFAinArtHistory,Communication DesignandPainting

HavingworkedmanyyearsasanillustratorforRichardsMedicalCo.,(nowSmith&Nephew); timewouldshowtheinfluenceofthisdisciplineinmanyofherworks, especiallyherabstract collections.

Startingintheearly90'sCarolbegantoexperienceagreataudiencet hroughvariousgallery representationinIllinois,MissouriandMemphis.

Although,muchofherworkfromthe80’stolate90’sisvisuallyappe aling,shedidnotleave behindherrootstudieswithWalterStevens,andCarlSubllett.These accomplished,highly publishedWatercolorists,ProfessorsfromtheUniversityofTennessee,Knoxville,becameCarol’s mentors.

SamsongoingpursuitofnewideasanddifferentMethodologies,throughcontinuousstudies,travel andlifeexperienceshaslandedherreviewsinvarious publicationsincluding"Artistsof SouthwesternUnitedStates,SouthernLiving,andTheCommercialAppeal.

HerworksarecollectedbymanyprominentMemphiansandarepart publicandcorporate collectionssuchasLeerCorporation,Detroit,MI,CranbrookInstituteofArt,BloomfieldHills, MI, Smith&NephewRichards,Memphis,TN;FoothillsArtCenter,Golden,CO.

Notableexhibitionsinlude"Trees”ANFA,Memphis,TN"Plein-Air"LisaKurtsGallery,Memphis,TN “AWoman’sCollectiveGroupShow”ANFArchitects

“AHorse,ATree,ASwamp”TheLevyGallery

CarolsworksandlivesinMemphis,TN

BeYou,mayIremindyou,everythingisfixableincludingyou.BeYou. Iusethisphrase“beyou”because…hadInotbeenreminded,Imighthave goneonforeverusing“belikeothers”asthemirrorofmysuccessandfailures. ManyyearspassedbeforeIunderstood“Perfectionism”forwhatittrulywas.I askthequestion…If“beingyou”asonlyyoucanbe,istheundisputedorigin,and istheplacefromwhichyoubeginallwork,whynotacceptitsauthority?

Creationisflawed…Discoveryisfruitofitserror.

“Iunderstandmystudiopracticeandmylifetobeasonelinkedexperience. Myinstinctualwillingnesstoexperimentwithmethodandmaterialdefinesmy work.”Withthiscorespiritofinquiry,drivenbycuriosityanddesiretolearn;I selecttoengagethemindfirst.

Inmywork…

…IromanticizememoriesofgrowingupinEastTennessee listeningtomyfamily’sstoriedpast astoldbymyfather,afifthson,ofasixthson, ofthreegenerationsofScotch-IrishandGerman dairyfarmers.

…Ibecomeatrustedstewardofmountainwaysandbeliefs,understandingthem tobethewisdomofliveswelllived.

…Iacceptmysoul’sshapeasacomplimentfromthepast,asitistheplacewhereIbegan, andwillbetheplaceIbeginoncemore.

…Iallowcuriositytovisittheintersectionofhistoryandmyth …I’m‘aSoutherner

CarolSamsSchreiber2023

AWorldofOurOwn

TawnySkye

Memphis,TN

Tawnyisafineartist,potter,andcurator.

Memphisbasedceramicist,TawnySkye,hasbeenbringingtheMeTooMovementtotheMemphisart scenesince2015.AlthoughTawnyisworkingpredominatelyinclay,sheisamultidisc iplinaryartist usingtechniquesfromblacksmithingandoilpaintingandincorporatingthemintoherceramicforms.

Herceramictechniquesareuniquetoherforms,usingathrowingandalteringmethodthat takesthe ideaofthesymmetrical,wheel-thrownvesselsandmodifiesthembytearing,creasing,combining,and pushingoutnewforms.

VisuallydrivenbytheworksofGeorgiaO’Keefeandthefemaleformoutsideofthe malegaze,she createsformstodisplaytheaspectsofwomenthatsymbolizetheirstrength.

InspiredbyherpastexperienceswithsexualviolenceandthecurrentMeToomovement,Tawnyuse s herworktocreateplatformsandsafespacesforthosewhohavebeenaffected.Her maingoalisto addtotheconversationandhelpothersurvivorshavetheirvoices heardandfeelasenseof community.

Acultureinwhichsexualassaultandabusearenormalizedisnotonethatiscreatedovernight.Itis createdthroughouthistorybywayoftraditionandestablishedpowerstructure.Americahasbecome oneofthemanysocietiesthathasadoptedthis“culture”.

Myworkexploresthehistoryoftheseidealsbylookingintopowerstructuresthroughwar.Iaimto combattheseidealsbyhavingeachpieceadapttotheseconstructsinaprogressivewayforvictims.

Womenhavebeenusedasweaponsofwarforthousandsofyearsasawaytoinfiltrateanenemy’s societybymakingitimpurewiththeirforcedoffspring.Thereactionstothevictimswastoshame themandshunthemfromtheirhomesandtheirsociety.WhenIreadofthis,Icannothelpbutbe remindedofthemanywomeninourcountrytodaywhoarebeingshamedintonotspeakingout againstsexualviolence.Somebecomerejectedfromdistrustinglovedonesformakingtheirvoices heard.

Iwanttorejectthisandcombatitwithdisplayofanewcultureinwhichvictimsstandinsolidarity againsttheseideals.ThefirststepIhavetakentobringthisideatolifeisdisplaymyselfforthe purposeofactivelyspeakingoutagainstmyrapistswithoutshame.Sincemyattacks,Ihavefeltthat witheachoccurance,Iloseanotherpieceofmyidentity.Thedisembodimentrepresentsthisforme.

Choosingtoputmyselfoutonthispedestalisanattempttoshowotherwomenthatitisnot shamefultobeavictimandthatweshouldnotfeelatfaultforsomethingothershavedonetous.By usingformsofweaponryinjuxtapositionwithmybody,Iaimtorepresentthisideatowomenas protectiveandoperativeammunitionagainstrapecultureandthosewhoperpetuateit.Whileour assailantsmayhavethoughttheyruinedourbodiesandstrengthwiththeirattacks,wehaveactually becomestrongerandmoreunitedthanever.

AWorldofOurOwn

KimRaeTaylor

Cincinnati,OH

DelrayBeach,FL

KimRaeTaylorisanAmericanartistandeducator.Sheworkswithavarietyofthemesthat drawfrom nature,languageandgender.ShecurrentlyservesasAssociateProfessor ofFineArtforthe UniversityofCincinnatiClermontCollege.

ShereceivedherMFAfromtheCollegeofDesign,Architecture,ArtandP lanning(DAAP)atthe UniversityofCincinnati,andBFAfromTheCollegeofFineArtsofTheUniversityofTexas atAustin. AdditionalstudiesincludetheUniversityofGeorgiainCortona,Italy,andtheMetáforaCenter forArt TherapyStudiesinBarcelona,Spain.

Shehasworkedasabackgroundartistincartoonanimationandas agraphicdesignerproduct design.TaylorhasbeenanartistinresidenceatTaipeiArtistVillageinTaiwan,RedGat einBeijing, CillRialaiginCountyKerry,Ireland,andtheArmoryArtCenterinWestPalmBeach,Florida.

BettyParsons

AlmaThomasMarianneMoore

PeggyGuggenheimAda"Bricktop"Smith

BerniceAbbottDjunaBarnes

JanetFlannerMeretOppenheim

GiseleFreundPanYuliang

LotteJocobiGertrudeStein

BRICKTOPSMITH

1894—1984

Ada“Bricktop”SmithwasanAfricanAmericansinger,dancer,andperformerbestrememberedastheownerandhostofChezBricktop,herlegendarynamesakenightclubinjazz-age Paris.Smith’slongcareerbeganasasingeranddancerincabaretclubswhenjustinherteens.Beforeshereached30shefoundherwaytoParisandbecameaninfluentialpartofthe city’svibrantjazzscene.ShemanageddifferentnightclubsbeforeestablishingherownanditquicklybecameanimportantdestinationformusiciansandperformerslikeJosephine Baker,LouisArmstrong,DukeEllington,andColePorter.ItalsoprovidedinspirationtomanyliteraryfigureslikeErnestHemingway,oftenimmortalizingitintheirwriting.Itwas importanttoSmiththatherclubprovidedsaferefugeforAfricanAmericansthatcametoParis,awayfromthesystemicracismandviolenceoftheUnitedStates.

PANYULIANG

1895—1977

PanYuliangwasaprolificChineseartistwhocreatedapproximately4,000paintingsduringherlifetime,embodyingbothChineseandEuropeanModernism.Sheenduredpovertyand abusewhenshewasorphanedatayoungageandsoldintoabrothelbyheruncle.Bythetimeshewas18shewas“purchased”byacustomsofficialtobecomehissecondwife.Pan wasadmittedtotheShanghaiFineArtsSchoolasoneofitsfirstfemalestudents,andshecontinuedstudiesattheÉcoledesBeaux-ArtsinParisandlaterinRome,receivingvarious awardsforherpaintings.WhenshereturnedtoChinainthelate1920s,shewascelebratedasawomanartistpaintinginamoderniststyle,andherworkwaspresentedinnumerous artexhibitions.Shepromotedmodernapproachestopaintingthroughteachingpostssheheldatseveraluniversities,includingCentralUniversityofNanjing.

MARIANNEMOORE

1887—1972

MarianneMoorewasaPulitzerPrize-winningpoetraisedinMissouriandPennsylvania.SheearnedaBAfromBrynMawrCollegebeforeworkingasateacher.In1918shemovedto NewYorkCitywithhermotherandbecamepartofthecircleofpoetsactiveinGreenwichVillage.ThereherinnovativepoemswerehighlyregardedmostnotablybyT.S.EliotandEzra Pound.In1921Moore’sfirstvolumeofpoetrycametopublicationthroughtheBritishImagistpoetsHildaDoolittleandBryher,withasecondvolume,Observations,in1924.The followingyearshebecameeditoroftheAmericanartandliteraryjournal,TheDialbutcontinuedtoworkasapart-timelibrarianforfinancialsupport.Moorehaswonalmostevery professionalpoetryaward,andsheisconsideredoneofthemostimportantpoetsofthetwentiethcentury.

BERENICEABBOTT1898—1991

BereniceAbbottwasagroundbreakingphotographerfromSpringfield,Ohio.ShebrieflystudiedatTheOhioStateUniversity,butleftschooltobecomeasculptorinParis.Thereshe assistedinManRay’slegendaryphotographystudioasameansoffinancialsupport.Throughthistrainingshediscoveredherloveofthecameraalongwithheruniqueeyetocapture peopleandplaces.AbbottbecameoneoftheleadingportraitphotographersoftheParisianavant-garde,withsubjectsthatincludedJamesJoyce,JeanCocteau,JanetFlanner,Jane Heap,andDjunaBarnes.Bythe1930sshereturnedtoNewYorktofindthecityinarapidstateofchange,inspiringherseriesChangingNewYork,aphotographyprojectdocumenting oldbuildingsandthenewconstructionreshapingthemodernurbanlandscape.TheambitiousundertakingbecamepartofapositionsheheldwiththeFederalArtProject,resultingin over300photographs.

ALMATHOMAS 1891—1978

AlmaThomaswasanAmericanpainterwhoselate-in-liferecognitiondefiedthebarriersofgender,race,andage.Hersignaturepaintingsofbrightlypatternedcolorsdidn’tdevelopuntil shewasalreadyinherseventies,andsheviewedcolorasameans“toconcentrateonbeautyandhappiness,ratherthanonman’sinhumanitytoman.”BythetimeThomaswas80she becamethefirstAfricanAmericanwomantohaveasoloexhibitionatNewYork’sWhitneyMuseum.AsayounggirlherfamilylefttheracismandviolenceofGeorgiaforWashington D.C.,settlingintoahomewhereshespenttherestofherlife,usingthekitchenasastudio.ShewasoneofthefirstgraduatesofHowardUniversity’sartdepartment,whereshestudied underLoïsMailouJones,whoprovidedmentorshipasaBlackwomanartist.Thomasearnedamaster’sdegreeinArtEducationfromColumbiaUniversityandworkedasajunior-high schoolartteacherforover35years.She’screditedwithestablishingthefirstartgallerywithintheWashingtonD.C.publicschoolsystem.

MERETOPPENHEIM

1913—1985

MeretOppenheimwasagroundbreakingGerman-SwissartistwhomovedtoPariswhilestillinherteens.Herartworkexploredherowndream-likeimageryandstrangelydichotomous elements,gainingheracceptancewiththeParisianSurrealists.Herfur-coveredteacup,Objectbecametheultimatesurrealistartifactandcreatedasensationwhenitmadeitsdebutin 1936.ItbecamethefirstworkbyawomanartisttoenterthepermanentcollectionoftheMuseumofModernArt.

GERTRUDESTEIN

1874—1946

GertrudeSteinisregardedasoneofthemostinfluentialfiguresofModernartandliterature.Shewasaninnovativewriter,poet,artpatron,andpioneeringcollectorofearlymodernist art.AfterdroppingoutofJohnsHopkinsSchoolofMedicinetojoinherbrotherLeoinParis,withthehelpofamodestincomeprovidedthroughinheritanceoftheirfather’sbusiness,the Americansiblingssupportedmodernartists,andacquiredalargecollection,mostnotablypaintingsofMatisseandPicasso.In1907SteinbecameromanticallyinvolvedwithAliceB. Toklas,formingalifelongpartnershipthatlasteduntilherdeathfourdecadeslater.Thewomenhostedweeklysalons,makingtheirParisianhomealegendaryhubforartistsandwriters beforeandafterthefirstWorldWar.

JANETFLANNER

1892—1978

JanetFlannerwasajournalistfromIndianawhowasthefirstfilmcriticfortheIndianapolisStar.Throughamarriageofconvenience,shemovedtoNewYorkCitywhereshefellinlove withfellowjournalistSolitaSolano,andtogetherthewomenbecameaprominentparttheParisianexpatriatecommunityofAmericanwomenartistsandwriters,thatincludedGertrude SteinandNatalieCliffordBarney.From1925until1975shewastheEuropeancorrespondentforTheNewYorker,publishinghercolumn“LetterfromParis”underthepennameGenêt. Throughheruniquewritingstyle,FlannerintroducedAmericanreaderstoworksbyimportantEuropeanartists,authors,musicians,andculturalmovementsoftheera.Shegavevoice tothedangersoffascism,coveringtheSpanishCivilWar,Hitler’sascenttopower,andlaterthetrialsofNuremberg.

PEGGYGUGGENHEIM

1898—1979

PeggyGuggenheimwasanAmericancollectorofmodernartwhosecolorfulpersonallifehasoftenovershadowedhersignificantculturalcontributions.Inadditiontothegalleriesshe established,sheprovidedfinancialsupporttonumerousartistsandwriters,safeguardedartduringWorldWarII,andamassedoneoftheleadingModernartcollectionsofthe twentiethcentury.Shefamouslydeclared:“Iwasaliberatedwomanlongbeforetherewasanameforit.”BornintotheGuggenheimfamilyinNewYork,sheinheritedamassive fortunewhenherfatherwentdownwiththeTitanic,whichultimatelyprovidedherfreedomintheformoffinancialindependence.ByherearlytwentiesshesettledinPariswhereshe usedherwealthtosupportmodernistEuropeanandAmericanartiststhroughthepurchaseoftheirwork(atonepoint,byherownaccount,onepieceofartaday).AsaJewishwoman shetookgreatrisksinsafeguardingartobjects,artists,andwritersfromtheNazis.UponherreturntoManhattan,shelaunchedtheArtofThisCenturyGallery,makingitaninfluential hubofmodernartintheUnitedStates.ShedonatedherVenetianestateandartcollectiontotheSolomonR.GuggenheimFoundation,foundedbyheruncle.Itisopentothepublicas thePeggyGuggenheimCollection,andisaleadingEuropeaninstitutionforModernart.

DJUNABARNES

1892—1982

DjunaBarneswasanAmericantrailblazer,firstasajournalistandillustratorinNewYork,andlaterasawriterinParis.Asajournalist,thestoriesshecovereddrewattentiontosocial injustice,includingthemistreatmentofdomestichelpandtheforce-feedingofsuffragetteswhowentonhungerstrikeinprison.Thearticlesshewrotewereoftenaccompaniedbyher uniqueillustrations,andantiwarpaintingsshecreatedwerefeaturedinanexhibition.BarneswasalreadyinherlatethirtiesbythetimeshemovedtoParis,andthereshebecamean integralpartoftheliterarycommunity.ShealsoformedenduringfriendshipswithotherAmericanwomenexpatriates,includingNatalieCliffordBarneyandPeggyGuggenheim,who supportedherwork.DuringthisperiodBarnesbeganatumultuous,long-termrelationshipwiththeartistThelmaWood,whichwasfamouslyimmortalizedinNightwood,the1936novel Barneswroteintheaftermathoftheirfinalbreakup.Itfirmlyestablishedherasaninnovativemodernistwriter,andthebookisregardedasalandmarkoffeministandlesbian literature.

LOTTEJACOBI

1896—1990

LotteJacobicamefromaGerman-Jewishfamilyofphotographersthatdatedbacktohergreat-grandfather.Aftercompletingherstudies,shejoinedherfather’ssuccessfulportrait photographystudioinBerlinwhereshewasinfluencedbythecity’savant-gardeartistsandwriters.ShebecameknownforherportraitsofartistslikeMaxPechstein,LászlóMaholyNagy,andKätheKollwitz.JacobiwasonlythesecondwomantobegrantedofficialpermissiontophotographthroughouttheSovietUnion,doingsoonherownforsixmonths.With Hitler’sgrowingrisetopower,shewastargetedandfledtoNewYorkalongwithherson.InManhattansheopenedastudioandtookcommercialassignmentsforsteadyincome.In photographingpeopleshestated:“Mypicturesdonotmakejudgmentsorcriticisms.Iphotographpeopleastheyare.Ilikepeople.Isavemyjudgmentsformypolitics.”Shebecamea delegatefortheDemocraticNationalConventionin1976whereshewastheoldestworkingpressphotographerinattendance.Beforeherdeathattheageof93,sheestablishedthe LotteJacobiArchives,heldattheUniversityofNewHampshire,whereshewasgrantedanhonorarydoctoratedegree.

GISELEFREUND

1908—2000

GiseleFreundwasapioneeringGermanphotographer,writerandactivist.HerphotographycareerbeganatuniversityinFrankfurt,wheresheprotestedtheNationalSocialist GovernmentbydocumentingNaziviolencethroughhercamera’slens.WithHitler’srisetochancellor,Freund,anoutspokenanti-fascistandaJew,fledGermanyforFrance,finding refugeinPariswhereshewasabletopursuedoctoralstudiesattheSorbonne.HerdissertationonphotographywaslaterpublishedbyAdrienneMonnier,theowneroftheiconic bookstoreLaMaisondesAmisdesLivres.Freundestablishedherselfasoneofthekeyphotographersofmodernartandliteraryfiguresoftheperiod,includingJamesJoyce,Samuel Beckett,FridaKahlo,SimonedeBeauvoir,andVirginiaWoolf.ShewasalsooneofthefirstphotographersinFrancetousecolorfilminthelate1930s.WiththeNaziinvasionof France,Freundonceagainfled,thistimeforSouthAmericaandlaterMexico.Shebecameawell-travelledphotojournalist,capturingpeopleandeventsforavarietyofpublications likeTimeandLife.Shebelievedhermostimportantimageswerethosethatborewitnesstosocialinjusticeandhumansufferingaroundtheworld.

BETTYPARSONS

1900—1982

BettyParsonswasanAmericanartistbornintoaconservative,old-moneyfamilyfromNewYork,andalifeofprivilegesheneverreallywanted,stating:“Idon’twanttobeloadedwith alltheseriches—theyboremetodeath.”Shewasultimatelydisinheritedoncehermarriageofconvenienceattheageof20endedindivorce.ParsonsmovedtoParis,living independentlyandopenlywiththeBritishpainterAdgeBaker.Bothwomenstudiedartwhilemovinginavant-gardecirclesthatincludedotherAmericanwomenartistsandwriterssuch asGertrudeStein,NatalieCliffordBarneyandJanetFlanner.Bythemid1930sParsonsreturnedtoNewYork,supportingherartthroughemploymentdirectingartgalleries.Shebuilt areputationasaninfluentialartdealerandbecamewellknownforherdiscerningeyeformodernart.In1946sheopenedhernamesakegalleryonEast57thStreet,laterrelocatingto West57thStreet.Itwasherethatshehelpedsetthestandardformoderngallerydesignwithbarefloors,cleanwhitewalls,andbrighterlighting.Shechampionedtheworkof emergingartistsandwasinstrumentalinbuildingthecareersofmanyAbstractExpressionistswhoachievedfameandsuccess,includingwomenartistsatatimewhentheywereoften notrecognized.

AgingBeyondModernism

AgingBeyondModernismisaseriesofpaintingsdocumentingthewomenartistswhoemergedinthefirst halfofthetwentiethcentury.CitieslikeParis,Berlin,NewYork,andothersbecamehubsofcreative innovationwherewomenfromdifferentwalksoflifefoundspacetoindependentlyforgepathsthatweren’t dictatedbytraditionalrolesofdomesticity.

Althoughthemanyismsoftwentiethcenturymodernartareprimarilyidentifiedwithmen,womenwerean integralforceofthemodernistavant-gardeandmadeimportantcontributionsasvisualartists,writers, poets,dancers,musicians,actors,designers,photographers,publishers,filmmakers,andpatronsofthe arts.

ThroughmyresearchIrealizedmanywomenlivedwellintooldage,somebecomingoctogenarians, nonagenarians,andevenafewcentenarians.Thelatterchaptersoftheirliveshaveofferedamore expansiveunderstandingofthebroadrangeofworktheycreated,especiallyassomanyremainedactive untiltheendoftheirlives.

Incollectingtheirphotographs,Ihavegottentoknowwhateachlookedlikeasanelderlywoman.Since 2015whentheprojectbegan,I’vecollecteddozensofphotographicimagesasreferencematerial,and althoughmostofthephotosareblackandwhite,asoilpaintingstheytransformtofullcolor.Assigninga colorpalettetoeachsubject,alongwithcroppingandmagnifyingthecompositiontoemphasizeunique expressionsthecamerahascaught,allowsroomtointerpreteachwomanfromapersonalperspective.I prefertheirfacesalwayslookforward,extendingthefemalegazetodirectlyengagetheviewer.

Theprojectisameansofvisualdocumentationandtoserveasaneducationaltool,butit’smorelikemy lovelettertothenumerouswomenwhoplayedsuchavitalroleinatransformativeperiodinthearts, especiallyasitopeneddoorsforsubsequentgenerations.

Therearecurrently40oilpaintings,andtheprojectcontinues.Ifindtheportraitsevenmorerelevantatthis unsettlingmomentinthetwenty-firstcentury,knowinghowthewomenonthesewallshadtonavigatethe cataclysmiceventsandregressivesocio-politicalclimateofthepreviouscentury.Wearethesumofour parts,anadagethatobviouslyappliestothehumanexperience,butartoffersacreativeoutletto communicatetheseexperiencesthroughauniquelypersonalformofexpression.

Artispowerful,andperhapsitallowedsomanyofthesewomentopersevere.

KimRaeTaylor,2023

THEARTISTS

Sylvie Adams

Elizabeth Belz

Cathy Benny

Brittney BoydBullock

Maritza Davila

Annette Fortt

Baleigh Kuhar

Jeri Ledbetter

Helena McConochie

Angee Montgomery

Rebecca Norton

Karen Radiloff

Carol Sams

Tawny Skye

Kim RaeTaylor