Spring Exhibit
An All Women Show
Reviewed by Stephen Paulmier
Art on the walls. Audience, artist, neighborhood and culture—this opportunity for the Germantown community to initiate a conversation about the challenges we face is precious. The great breadth of vigorous intellectually creative activity present in this century and the last, is refreshingly salient at the Imperfect Gallery (5539 Germantown Avenue). Who knew such a panoply of artistic talent was maturing, growing and gathering momentum in the working class environs of Northwest Philadelphia. Such is what we can learn to expect from struggle, derived from a wellspring of courageous experience that has gone before! Ushering in the month focused on Women and their abundant contributions to society, this venue excels in making plain the importance Women deserve. Color, texture, theme and weight all are skillfully applied to provide the raw material for socially scientific progress. Creative energy produces a heat that radiates out to the audience. A magical marriage of forceful truth telling with authentic soul searching bringing to fore an awareness of communal interests.Reflecting upon this art work the viewer becomes aware of the connection she has to the world and the human part played by producing it.
Some elucidation about the title of the show is appropriate. The plural syntax confuses the centrality gender plays establishing a context for the art contained therein. A more descriptive title might be An All Woman Show. The exhibit displays the work of some 63 artists, all of whom are Women. However the significance of these art objects comes from a force generated by a female core creative energy, not (as is implied by the plural use of Women) by the fact that it is a gathering of Women who have created art. The effect is of pouring a foundation that possesses an all Woman gravitational power. The male direction, the socio-political definition of phallic sourcing is utterly absent from these creations. The consequence is exquisite! As a male reviewer the ramifications of this witness is as subtle as a tsunami. I am powerless to manipulate these weapons of cultural responsibility for my gender aggrandizement. These are tools fashioned to be ergonomic for true seekers of justice. The art has handles that are infinitely accessible, a struggle accessory wearable beyond compare! You will leave this exhibit righteously empowered. Its authority is infectious.
She uses a palette soaked in the blood of human origins. Courage, confidence and commitment are painted on the canvas with the effect of weaving into the grasp of an audience the flag of a new society. This description of our character inspires in the viewer an authentic appreciation for society’s highest priority, the infinite power of youth to embrace ever widening circles of adult responsibility.
For the critic there is no escape, the artist uses her medium to engage the audience, establishing an immediate and thorough communication that denies to the myth makers the power of distortion. The status quo (the distortion laden supremacy paradigm) is unsustainable. Through the young subjects facial expression we are invited to affirm the place in our world for growth, cultivation and culture. This is the social ethic of caring, the definition of faith, the unfiltered perspective of that class of the human family that is assuming the role of leader, producer and decider. In the representation of a child we are charged with our most basic responsibility; the task of leading the world into the age of moral and ethical social behavior. Our flag, this portrait, evoking the care, nurture and respect of a new generation. She is the Dark Princess of Du Boisean legend. Woman-child of the new dawn civilization is introducing to the complex of societal forces becoming the mulch of revolution. All of the elements are represented, the green of our bountiful environment, the blue of the seas and aquifers, the rich browns of mineral and vegetable matter and the bright yellows of our solar energy...all fluxed together by the Black (the treatment of the hair, detailed, crafted with tender yet powerful strokes of purposeful rendering) of our ever growing strength and the red of our oxygen soaked blood and fire. In the price list for the art the NFS that appears with this entry assumes African proportions...NOT FOR SALE.
