Stepmothers, Stepsisters, Witches and Virgins
In its temporary location, the 7Eleven Gallery has exceeded our expectations. Our first two shows, Invasions and Paradise Lost, earned write-ups in numerous press and art publications including: Art Forum, The New York Sun and New York Magazine On Line, as well as an invitation to show case our gallery at the prestigious Art Basel in Miami. For our final show on Washington Street we plan to go out with a bang, showcasing our largest group of artists yet. "Stepmothers, Stepsisters, Witches and Virgins" is an ensemble of young emerging talent and established New York City based female artists.
The work of the fourteen artists who are included in "Stepmothers" reflects certain theme of fairy tales. Unconscious content finds expression in the motifs and characters of fairy tales, and thus, as with any great art form, represent different things for different people, at different times in their lives. Fairy Tales carry little reference to reality or the outer world; their meaning is only useful in relation to the private workings of our inner life. The tales bring to light internal conflicts, and suggest how they might be resolved, they provide insight into the workings of an elevated state of humanity and thus these epic and archetypical tales exist in one’s memory and moral databanks. Their consistent "happily ever after" endings have provided comfort and hope for the future.
Antithetically, we are also drawn to fairy tales’ dark, sexual psychological nature. In the 1970’s many feminists turned their attention toward fairy tales for clues to society’s deep-seated notions of gender roles. The response gathered from this new approach brought everything about the literature into question, especially the "happily ever after". Along with the traditional, one will find that "Stepmothers, Stepsisters, Witches and Virgins" contains many subtle feminist undertones and sexual imagery.
It has been both a challenge and a pleasure to curate this show and we look forward to presenting it to the public.
Artists include: Z Behl, Eneas Capalbo, Krista Donargo, Lance De Los Reyes, Lena Dunham, Gabrielle Grenier, Jake Levin, Judith Linhares, Alexander Massouras, Harry McNally, Matisse Patterson, Emmett Shine, Laurie Simmons and Kiki Smith.
Our opening reception will be September 25th, from 7-10 pm. It will run through October 16th.
711 Washington Street
New York, NY 10014