shifting the body

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

Figures, personalities and cells splitting – these are some of the visuals that materialize in Shifting the Body. The female body continues to be sexualized in media and the arts. The artwork in this show emphasizes a re-humanizing of the body, while providing an opportunity for Asian American women to contribute to this conversation in a visual manner and to take back some control.

CURATORIAL STATEMENT

Figures, personalities and cells splitting, these are some of the visuals that materialize in Shifting the Body. A pattern of fragmented selves is found in several of the artist’s work such as Ruya Qian’s Self-portrait, Julee Lee’s Pillow Fight and Cathy Lu’s Skin. The figures are the same person, but divided into two or more bodies. These dissociations or conflicts of duality can be a method of survival during times of difficulty. Women often struggle in balancing the different roles being the partner, wage earners, and often the caretaker. Adding to that, Asian American women continue to deal with stereotypes and being considered the constant foreigner. Understandably, these various roles can prove to be overwhelming.

The female body continues to be sexualized in media and the arts. The artwork in this exhibit also emphasizes a re-humanizing of the body that includes strength and being in control. Melissa Nolledo’s Shifting Boundaries II and Cindy Shih’s Don’t Be Afraid, displays sexuality in the figure, yet goes beyond it to encompass strength. In both pieces you see the naked body and while it is attractive, it displays control and power through the positioning of the figure. It is important for women to own their image as it will inevitably portray a broader idea of the body, as opposed to a more limited viewpoint that is often seen in public spaces.

Representation of the female body by male artists has been constant throughout history to the point where one does not question this precedent. In order to get a better understanding of alternative explorations of representing the female body, Shifting the Body creates an opportunity for Asian American Women to contribute to this conversation in a visual manner and to take back some control.

ABOUT THE CURATOR

Pamela Ybañez attended an MFA program in Buffalo, NY and an undergraduate school in Hawaii, which helped create a well rounded perspective for both her cultural heritage and conceptual mindset for the arts. As an artist living in Oakland CA, she enjoys creating events such as free art workshops or artist’s talks, and inspiring so called “non-artists” to be creative. In the last two years she began curating exhibits within pop-up galleries and established organizations (Oakland Asian Cultural Center and I-Hotel Manilatown Center) both in the East Bay and San Francisco.