STUDIO MONTCLAIR PRESENTS WOMYN’S WERQ, AN EXHIBITION AT STUDIO MONTCLAIR GALLERY, through April 9, 2021
Womyn’s Werq
WHEN: on exhibit through April 9
WHERE: Studio Montclair Gallery, 127 Bloomfield Avenue,
Montclair, NJ.
Gallery Hours: By appointment only on our website: www.studiomontclair.org
The exhibit, described by curator Donna Kessinger as an “old school,”
LGBTQIA-friendly, radical feminist art exhibition, features over 60 pieces of
artwork including videos, sculpture, and two-dimensional creations in a great
variety of mediums, there will also be special installations in the gallery
windows. A virtual exhibit that will include audio from the artists will be on
the Studio Montclair website.
Womyn: This is a term used by those who feel that having the word “man” within the word “woman” signifies that women are a subset of men. So, to make themselves a non-subset, they changed the letter “e” to a “y.” I am not a subset, I am a womyn.
Werq: An expression used when praising someone for looking fierce
“Under patriarchy the female did not herself develop the symbols by which she
is described.”—Kate Millett, Sexual Politics
About the Curator:
Donna Kessinger is manager of the Matawan Studio and Gallery, where she works
as an arts educator and curator. She is currently focused on connecting with
the artist community that thrives along the New York/New Jersey corridor.
Kessinger received her Masters in Arts Administration from the University of
Kentucky and has produced several independent curatorial projects in New York
and New Jersey since 1999. She has also created and overseen emerging artist
residency projects and related exhibitions at the Bronx Museum of the Arts and
Aljira: A Space for Contemporary Art, in Newark, NJ. Additionally, Kessinger is
Executive Director of the Monmouth Museum. She considers herself a shy painter
who loves working with wax medium and has recorded many hours of short, oral
herstories using the ancient method of videotape from the ’90s. Her subjects
include Nancy Spero, Carolee Schneeman, and Kate Millett. Kessinger believes
that having space to create is crucial to making art and that’s what it’s all
about! (Above, right: Valerie Huhn, Fingerprinted Pin Head, Pigment ink, pins,
women's wig/ hat/ jewelry stand)
Virtual Exhibit: https://www.studiomontclair.online
Website: https://www.studiomontclair.org
About Studio Montclair: Studio Montclair is an inclusive,
nationwide non-profit organization of exhibiting, professional, and emerging
artists and others interested in the visual arts. The mission of the
organization is to promote culture, education, equality, and tolerance through
art. Studio Montclair is committed to diversity at every level. Founded in
1997, the organization includes over 500 members. For more information, contact
pr@studiomontclair.org, or call
862-500-1447.