A trilogy of artists' books exhibited in 1st Feminnale of Contemporary Art, curated by Altyn Kapalova, National Museum of Fine Arts, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, 2019
A trilogy of hand-made artists' books is an artistic response to gender inequalities at a time when American women’s rights are under attack within our right-wing culture in collaboration with book artist, visual poet Frie J. Jacobs, writer Mark Blickley and myself. The trilogy addresses women’s fight from helplessness to empowerment.
In book one, “NH, NP (No Head, No Pain),” the images of the prostrate nude women represent how women were/are cut off from their power. Without a head, there is no pain over not having equal rights. In book two, “AE, AI, (Saving Face),” women confront the thoughts and reactions they must hide in order to achieve equality. The face they save is their own, which they hide behind blank empty stares, as a protective mask. In addition, a drawing of a warrior woman with a double-edged sword that literally and figuratively cuts off both the head and face to public scrutiny, replacing them with masks of silent invisibility that often hide their resentment and resistance while battling for equality. In “OO, OY (Body of Work),” book three, they overcome the challenges and create a life where they can celebrate their newfound freedom, and continue their fight for equality.
"AI, AE (Saving Face)" GO >
"OO, OY (Body of Work)" GO >