On Display from April 10–April 18 | Fine Arts Gallery
Opening Reception on April 11, 2024 at 4:00pm

About Ali Simmel

Ali Simmel, Angry Women #2, Acrylic and oil on stretched canvas, 58.5”x45.5”, 2023

In their series “I Said No,” Ali Simmel delves into feminist ideals, confronting patriarchal control over women’s bodies and agency through portraiture and scene-building. Employing color theory and expressive textures, she crafts visually compelling images that challenge assumptions about gender and power. Central to their exploration is feminine rage, vividly capturing anger and frustration beyond victim narratives of sexual assault. Reproductive rights are a focal point, shedding light on global attacks on access to contraception and abortion. They challenge narratives promoting shame and objectification while authentically portraying motherhood, dismantling myths of perfection.

About Caden Laflamme-Szakonyi

Caden Laflamme-Szakonyi, Shower Walls, Oil on panel, 11x5.5, 2023

The Body Remembers creates a sense of awareness regarding the brutal realities of domestic violence and assault through tactile, seductive, and gruesome imagery. I want people to sit with the work and have a sense of understanding that the injuries and pain I’m depicting can also be internal, not just external. That the realities of these topics are not beautiful, but brutal. When it comes to creating that feeling for the audience my work has a similar technique throughout all my pieces creating cohesion, aggression, and delicacy despite the differences in imagery. There is a shocking and thought-provoking aspect to them all, along with a level of genital care that I use within the paint application to add innocence.

Healing is not linear, The Body Remembers, and so do I.

About Paige Evans

Paige Evans, Bloody Mary, Ceramics and mixed media, 14 x 10 x 4.5, 2024

Paige Evans’ girlhood explores the trauma, obstacles, and beauty of growing up as a girl. Through tongue-in-cheek names alluding to historically hated women and terms used derogatorily toward women, the mixed-media works are intended to break down the stigma around difficult conversations. Utilizing youthful forms reminiscent of dolls encourages the audience to question the impossible, often contradicting expectations forced upon young girls.