Last night I was thinking how I've neglected art lately, or how I prioritized other topics, to be precise. I have this habit of trying to post about the exhibitions I visited as soon as possible, still the experience is still fresh, as after a year or two, even if you have the photos, your feelings and memories start to fade.
This exhibition I'm going to post about it unique in so many ways, not that other exhibitions are not though :P
The title of the exhibition is "No Muse!", which makes you raise your eyebrows and makes you wonder why the title. I am going to cite an article of the association organizing the exhibition on the matter, as I couldn't have said it better:
Through different artistic languages and individual visions, they formulate their thoughts on the issues of female creativity, identity, social roles and contemporary art.
"No muse!" title is a conscious statement that reflects on the change in attitude, as a result of which women are no longer just objects or inspirations of art, but active shapers of it, creators with an independent voice and professional presence.
The exhibition presents the diversity of female creative energy, while emphasizing that the work of female artists in contemporary art is not a separate category, but a defining and equal part of cultural life.
For centuries women had a place in art only as muses and models, unfortunately. Those who tried to create art were neither let not taken seriously and many had to publish their work under a fake, male identity.
Times have changed and today we see this exhibition featuring the work of six Transylvanian female artists: Erika Csákány, Anita Hincs, Borostyán Kelemen, Adrienne Márton, Abigél Nagy and Imola Szilágyi. Six brave and talented artists showing the world times are not the same, women have their place in this are of life, as equal parties.
Over the years I've developed some habits regarding my visits to exhibitions and taking a photo or two when I step into the gallery is one of them, but only after I had a look and enjoyed the surprise I am getting, as there's always a surprise.
Imola Szilágyi - Drapery I.
Imola Szilágyi - Drapery VI.
I liked the idea of these two paintings, but I'm not going to lie. At first, I thought the first painting was hung inappropriately, but then I saw it wasn't the hanging, but how the artist chose to delimit the painted area. It's possible I'm a bit OCD or just like straight lines, but I had to move on to the next one one.
Imola Szilágyi - Drapery II.
Imola Szilágyi - Drapery V.
As you can see, this is a series. There were only these exhibited, so I'm not sure how many pieces make the series to be complete, but I like the idea, and what I like even more is the topic. Not many artists are depicting drapery in their art. You sure don't see men drawing, painting, or sculpting it :)
Madonna
We've seen the Madonna depicted in any shape or form over several centuries, but this one managed to surprise me. It's unique in so many ways and definitely not similar to what you'd expect. This is good as who wants to see a new copy of what has been painted so many times.
Girls Night
What you see on the canvas is definitely not the girls night you know today. The painting is new, but the artist chose to paint a girls night from a time that has long passed. The way they have fun today is not the same as back then, but honestly, I can't figure out what they are doing. It seems like the lady in the center fainted and the others are praying, but this makes no sense, so I'll let you tell me what you see and/or think.
Saluti Angelici
Another painting with religious meaning. You can see by now that there are repetitive colors use on the last three paintings. I'm not sure if artist have their set of favorite colors they use often or not, but on this case it seems like it.
Madonna with J.
Colors change here, but the theme and the style doesn't. I like the obscure aspect of the painting. It's not very usual, when it comes to religious themes, but I guess this makes it special.
Red Woman
Usually, when you say red woman, that refers to the hair, but not here.
These were the paintings of Imola Szilágyi, one of the artist exhibiting. She sure has a particular style and unique as well.
Let me know what you think.
If you're a newbie, you may want to check out these guides:
