Like everything else, feminism means different things to different people.
For Valerie Galloway, who curates and manages The Galleria at the YW, "feminism boils down to one simple idea: equality between the sexes."
"It always surprises me in this contemporary society that some women don't want to refer to themselves as feminists," Galloway says. "The idea of feminism has been tainted and tarnished, so that some fear appearing as man haters, or unfeminine. Again, it's a simple idea. Feminism has nothing to do with hating men or trying to control them. It's about equal rights."
"We are Queens" illustrates the idea that we are Queens of our own life, said artist Valerie Galloway.
To keep the dialogue about feminism alive in Tucson, Galloway, who is also an artist, decided to curate a show at The Galleria at the YW, featuring the works of 15 Tucson artists exploring the topic.
"It was inspired by the misogynistic rhetoric floating around during the election," said Valerie Galloway, artist, gallery manager and curator. "I was shocked and angry about that, but realized that I could counteract that anger by celebrating feminism the way I know best, through art. I think it's important not to become complacent about feminism and I want to keep the dialogue alive. Keeping the conversation about feminism alive is powerful, and I wanted to share that conversation with other artists in town."
In advance of the opening reception, we asked a few of the artists what feminism means to them and how their work reflects that. Here's what they had to say:
Liz Vaughn, 52, painter
What does being a feminist mean to you?
I must admit I struggled to define what being feminist means to me. When speaking of feminism I feel a swell of emotion rise high in my throat, and simultaneously want to stuff it back down in to the pit of darkness. Put on a brave face, never let them see you cry, and certainly never show any sign of weakness. Those traits are categorically classified as "female", and quintessentially flawed.
Am I truly strong enough to represent other women, to call myself a feminist? I feel this anonymous quote might sum up my feelings best: "No matter who you are, if you believe in the strength of a woman, you're soaking in feminism. You can call yourself whatever you want, but consider this: Any word that is feared has power. When a woman gives up her power, you have to question if she truly knows her worth."
How does your art illustrate that?
As artists, some of the most revealing works we create are the most simplistic. It requires stripping away all embellishment and pouring the real you out of that tube of paint. This piece is without defense, without explanation, and most certainly without measure.
Forget safety, be notoriously feminist.
Liz Vaughn's piece, "By Measure" will be on display in the Being Feminist show at The Galleria at the YW.
Racheal Rios, 41, painter
What does being a feminist mean to you?
Being feminist, to me, means continuously evolving to look for, and acknowledge, the intersectionality of systemic oppression and doing my personal best to fight against it for all people.
How does your art illustrate that?
My works in the YWCA exhibit illustrate what feminism means to me by showing different perspectives on what it means to be active in feminism: Sometimes it calls for comfort, sometimes it calls for a scream.
"You Are What You Speak" by Racheal Rios
Marcy Ellis, 27, mixed media and watercolor artist
"You Changed My Point of View" by Marcy Ellis
What does being a feminist mean to you?
Being a feminist means having a choice. A choice to take a lover. A choice to have children. A choice to live independently. A feminist is someone who makes those choices confidently regardless of societal norms or expectations.
How does your art illustrate that?
This piece is a photographic transfer from a vintage photograph I discovered a long time ago. The woman in the photo reminded me of strong, incredible women in my life: my mother, my grandmother, my future self. Women who made choices and sacrifices with overwhelming perseverance.
Shannon Smith, 37, fine art photography
What does being a feminist mean to you?
A few definitions of feminism: “the advocacy of women's rights on the grounds of political, social, and economic equality to men.” “the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities.” That last sentence is a no-brainer, and it astonishes me that this is considered a “belief” instead of a reality. But that is how the world seems to go, and it hurts when you figure out the truth.
"Liberated" by Shannon Smith
This is where the work of feminism comes in, and to do this work, first and foremost, you’ve got to LOVE yourself, be proud of who you are, and hold your head up high each and every day, no matter what anyone else might say or do. This sounds easy, but lets be honest, within today’s society, a lot of times its not. I find myself giving advice to other women, young girls, and even my daughter, and then realize I should take my own advice as well, but dammit, it’s hard sometimes. You can’t let this world, or anyone in it (men or women), bring you down, no matter how hard they might try. They’re doing that for a reason, which means you are someone just as powerful as they are, and they know it, but they want you not to know it or believe in it.
Listen to your heart, be the woman you want to be, not who you think others want you to be or whom your “supposed” to be. You know who she is, and everyone else needs to know her too, whether you think so or not. Believe in yourself and your POWER to do good, and then DO IT, and don’t ever stop, no matter what.
We need to support and encourage each other so that every woman can feel empowered. Bringing one another down doesn’t solve anything, it only hurts. There is so much work yet to be done, and we need strong, empowered women to continue to stand up and advocate for what is right, and we need one another to do so. Lets EMPOWER each other to get this work finished, to get this job done, for all of us, everyone in the world, to be equal.
How does your art illustrate that?
I have three pieces in the show that each illustrate this by not being afraid to display the truth, to show it in full view for all to see, contemplate, and consider.
Maria Renee Johnson, 25, illustrator
What does being a feminist mean to you?
To me, feminism is the welcoming and support of women being in our power; the kind of power that is generated from the heart, that looks like strength and grace, that stands tall on level ground with all humanity. Feminism has the feeling of being free, of being heard, and being respected as an equal individual. It's freedom from these ideas and ideals that have been created about what our bodies should be like, what they should do, and how we should feel or not feel, say or not say. It is taking a stand for ourselves and standing with other women.
How does your art illustrate that?
This piece by Maria Johnson illustrates the strength and courage that women carry today and have carried for centuries.
I wanted my piece to represent the strength and courage that women carry today and have carried for centuries. The ironwood, an incredibly ecologically important species in the Sonoran Desert, has some of the strongest, toughest heartwood in the world. These trees stand tall for hundreds of years through the roughest storms and floods, providing shelter and protection for a plethora of other species. Ironwoods grow together and give rise to a thriving, healthy desert ecosystem.
Event Details
What: Being Feminist: What Feminism Means to Me Opening Reception
When: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday
Where: The Galleria at the YW, 525 N. Bonita Ave.
More info: Click here
If you don't make it to the reception, you can see the show in The Galleria from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday until March 13.
