I am excited to announce that I am part of a thought-provoking exhibition opening in January of 2025 at the Art Gallery of Alberta titled “The Feminine Landscape”.
In an art world still marked by significant gender disparities, “The Feminine Landscape” brings together five Edmonton area women artists whose diverse practices highlight not only their creative excellence but also the myriad roles they navigate in both their personal and professional lives.
Artists Alyson Davies, Ashley Thimot, Crystal Driedger, Janet Sutanto, and Samantha Williams-Chapelsky have each created works that interpret what “the feminine landscape” means to them.
Through this exhibition, we invite viewers to engage not only with the artwork but with the invisible labour that comes with being a woman artist today. “The Feminine Landscape” is a statement on the strength, resilience, and creativity of women in a system that frequently asks them to do more for less, and where a compliment is to hear that your work “looks like a man made it.”
This exhibition is curated by Alyson Davies and Samantha Williams-Chapelsky and will run from January 25 – March 30, 2025.
Stay tuned for details on the opening reception.
“But First, We Play”; oil on canvas; 48” x 48”; 2024
ARTIST STATEMENT
In the pieces I’ve created for “The Feminine Landscape” exhibit, I explore the relationship between my roles as a primary caregiver and an artist. My family and my art are my two greatest passions, and I find myself constantly navigating the delicate balance between them. This duality often leads to an internal struggle: while I cherish the quality time I spend with my loved ones, I also feel the weight of unfulfilled creative ambitions.
Each artwork reflects this responsibility hierarchy, embodying the emotional landscape that comes with my life at home and my creative work. The joy of being present for my family is profound, yet it can simultaneously feel like a barrier to my creative flow. When family responsibilities pull me away from my studio, I grapple with feelings of frustration and grief, as I yearn for the peak productivity that fuels my professional aspirations.
Like many women with families, being the primary caregiver is a role I cherish and nurture. However, women often prioritise the needs of others over their own, leaving their passions and needs unmet. I wanted to visually demonstrate the weight of this struggle without guilt, as women frequently feel remorseful for discussing these challenges.