Feminisms {Re}framed
St. John’s feminist art show aims to display the work of those who might not otherwise show it
In Zaren Healey White’s feminist utopia, all animals are covered in glitter — and all artists have an opportunity to show their work in a gallery space.
She’s bringing both to life with Feminisms {Re}framed art show, opening in St. John’s this weekend. Healey White is a hobby artist, and the idea for a feminist visual art event came about while she was doing a degree in gender studies at MUN.
“I really wished I had a way to show my art with other feminists,” Healey White says. “I wrote a post on Facebook and someone said, ‘It sounds like you have an idea.’ It was a wonderful turn of events.”
Two years and two shows later, Healey White, Feminisms Reframed co-chair Alexandra Fox and the rest of the volunteer organization are about to open their third art show, showcasing 30 pieces by a variety of artists of all genders, all having a connection to Newfoundland, either by birth or by choice.
There are paintings, photography, drawings, textile pieces, mixed media artworks and at least once sculpture — including balloons and foam spray — as well as poems. While the focus is on visual art, Healey White explains, the group took submissions of poetry that will be hung as art pieces.
Broadly, the group considers feminist art as any art that explores, navigates or challenges feminist themes and issues, or art that is feminist in they way it’s created.
“By this, we mean that we aim to showcase art by feminists who might not otherwise have the means or access to display their work in traditional gallery spaces,” Feminisms Reframed explains on its Facebook page. “Our goal is to break down barriers between hobby artists and gallery spaces.”
Themes represented in the show are varied: internalized misogyny, tumultuous relationships, self-portraits, and crafting as an art form traditionally associated with women among them. Healey White will have two paintings on display herself: “Sparkle Moose,” and “Rapturous,” part of a series of work with an outer space theme.
“I wanted to try and represent how powerful feminism is. I came up with a big exploding star — that’s my take on how feminism has affected me,” she says.
Feminisms {Re}framed will open with a reception Friday from 8-10 p.m. and run Saturday from 10am-6pm and Sunday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at 221 Duckworth St. (pink and blue art deco-style building). Admission is free, or a pay-what-youcan donation.