Bodies of Evidence:
Contemporary Perspectives
RISD Museum - July 1 - September 25, 2005
This exhibition, which was at the Rhode Island School of Design's Museum of Art in Providence R.I. from July to September 2005, highlights examples of work by women of color in the museum's holdings. The theme was inspired by the prevalence of work referencing the body in contemporary pieces dating from the 1960's. The work, beautiful and compelling in its formal qualities, embodies content related to gender, religion, race, sexuality and personal relationships. The exhibition title is also a testimony to the invigorating presence these artists bring to the national and global art world-at-large.
This exhibition was co-curated by myself and Jan Howard, Curator of Prints, Drawings and Photographs, The RISD Museum, with James Montford. All photographs by Erik Gould © RISD Museum.
Participating Artists: Iona Rozeal Brown, Donna Bruton, Patty Chang, Milagros de la Torre, Annu Palakunnathu Matthew, Ana Mendieta, Beatriz Milhazes, Raquel Paiewonsky, Marta Maria Pérez Bravo, Howardena Piindell, Adrian Piper, Alison Saar, Joyce Scott, Lorna Simpson, Renée Stout, Kara Walker, Carrie Mae Weems, and Lynn Yamamoto.
On the far left wall: Space Frame, 1968 by Howardena Pindell.
The work in the center is Ulysses, 1994 by Alison Saar; on the left is a pop-up laser-cut book by Kara Walker, Freedom–A Fable: A Curious Interpretation of the Wit of a Negro in Troubled Times, 1997; and on the right are a set of five stunning photogravures on gampi paper by Milagros de la Torres, Sin Titulo (Untitled), 1992.
Additional view of Annu Palakunnathu Matthew's An Indian from India, 2001; and in the background Howardena Pindell's Space Frame, 1968.
Additional gallery view of Iona Rozeal Brown's Untitled/Female, 2003, right; and left, Annu Palakunnathu Matthew's twelve-image series An Indian From India, 2001.
Gallery view from left: Iona Rozeal Brown's Untitled/Female, 2003; Marta Maria Pérez Bravo's Para la entrega (For the Offering), 1994; Raquel Paiewonsky's dress made with baby dolls, Parida (Birthed), from the series "Vestial", 1998-2000; Lorna Simpson's Counting, 1991; and Patty Chang's two-channel video, In Love, 2001.
On the far right: Joyce Scott's Spirit Siamese Twins, 2000-2002; and starting on the far left wall: A Place for Him, A Place for Her, from the "Africa Series," 1993 by Carrie Mae Weems; Furrows, 1984 by Ana Mendieta; and Red Room at Five, 1999 by Renée Stout.