Gresham Art Gallery Exhibit Prepares to Celebrate Women’s History Month
SBVC presented a special art exhibition ahead of Women’s History Month, which provided an introduction to female artists from the early 20th to 21st century. The Kollwitz to Opie: A Selection of Works and Ephemera Exhibit featured original artwork alongside posters, publications, and other materials. “The show affords the opportunity to see a more diverse perspective, one that is not limited to the confines of gender,” curator Ian White said. One area of the exhibit highlighted the work of The Guerilla Girls, a devoted collective of activists formed in 1985. This group established themselves as a shifting force whose fundamental mission was to expose sexism and racism through data-driven protests.
Other messages of the artwork in the exhibit ranged from fertility and babies to feminism and protesting women's rights. SBVC student Catalina Montes said, “The painting that caught my eye is the one with the baby; it is my favorite. I used to draw myself but this is nothing compared to what I used to draw!” Women have been involved with production as creators, patrons, muses, historians, and critics but have been historically excluded. This art piece aimed to show inspire the representation for awareness of women. SBVC alumnus Thomas Zepeda said, “I appreciate the diverse works displayed and this has prompted me to assist in the installation of this exhibit.”
This collection exemplifies all that female empowerment should be, it advocates on the behalf of the silenced in ways that can be explored by the masses.