Breaking in Two: Provocative Visions of Motherhood
Santa Monica Art Studios, Arena 1 Gallery
The Getty Foundation Initiative: Pacific Standard Time: Art in Los Angeles 1945—1980
Curated by Bruria Finkel and filmed by Sabine Sighicelli
February 11—April 14, 2012
Breaking in Two is the first comprehensive exhibition of work by women artists who are mothers where the work itself integrates the maternal experience, the relationship to the body, the child, the family, and the society at large. The exhibition featured a multi‐cultural group of four generations of nationally and internationally recognized artist‐mothers selected to represent the multi‐faceted and changing realities of motherhood. Curator Bruria Finkel, herself an artist, asserts that “the subject of motherhood was taboo in the art world in the 70’s; women artists were advised not to disclose their motherhood status for it might interfere with their ability to progress in the art world.”
Breaking in Two explored the intimate and sensuous experience of the artist as mother, and the evolving image and place of the mother, which underwent huge transformations during the post-war years and especially during the Women’s Movement of the late 60s and 70s-transformations that have impacted the very fabric of our culture today. Breaking in Two included various trends and styles of painting and drawing, sculpture, collage and assemblage, installation, photography, film/video, performance art, and poetry/writing.
About Linda Vallejo:
Linda Vallejo is a native Californian who consolidates multiple, international influences gained from a life of study and travel throughout Europe, the United States and Mexico to create paintings, sculptures and installations that challenge our understanding of contemporary environmental, spiritual, political and social issues. Vallejo received her BFA from Whittier College, completed studies in lithography at the University of Madrid, Spain, and received a Master of Fine Arts from Cal State University, Long Beach. She has exhibited nationally and internationally and published widely.
Artists included: Kim Abeles, Lita Albuquerque, Eleanor Antin, Michele Asselin, Jo Ann Callis, Joyce Dallal, Bruria Finkel, Margaret Garcia, Cherie Gaulke, Tierney Gearon, Judithe Hernandez, Channa Horwitz, Kathryn Jacobi, Mary Kelly, Margaret Lazzari, Andrea Liss, M.A.M.A., Kim Mccarty, Marylinda Moss, Mother Art, Sandra Mueller, Pearls of Wisdom: End The Violence, Renee Petropoulos, Astrid Preston, Alison Saar, Betye Saar, Lezley Saar, Sola Agustsson Saar, Reva Santo, Sylvia Sher, Amy Shimshon-Santo, Elena Mary Siff, Sabine Sighicelli, Doni Silver Simons, Linda Vallejo, June Wayne, Ruth Weisberg, Miriam Wosk, Kim Yasuda, Stella Zhang
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