'Twas Her Undoing: Women's Month Group Exhibition
While the traditional idea of being “undone” is for one to be “compromised” or “fallen,” “condemned” or “ruined,” the term also reveals public and personal spaces for “growth” and “rejuvenation,” “reclamation” and “joy.”
In celebration of the centennial of women’s right to vote, Urevbu Contemporary proudly presents ‘Twas Her Undoing, a visual exploration of women and womanhood, voice, and power.
The year 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment that guarantees and protects women’s constitutional right to vote. In recognition of this historic milestone six extraordinary women artists were asked to create art that explores the complicated, layered history of women’s evolving roles in society and the impact of that history on their lives.
What does it mean for an act, an idea, or a person to become undone?
When the act is creation, the idea is womanhood, and the person is female, the term takes on fascinating implications and suggests meanings and possibility that are open to interpretation. There is movement and range in that creative space, where the very concept of what it means to be a woman today can be reimagined and explored.
While the traditional idea of being “undone” is for one to be “compromised” or “fallen,” “condemned” or “ruined,” the term also reveals public and personal spaces for “growth” and “rejuvenation,” “reclamation” and “joy.” Released from traditional notions, the term “undoing” opens us up to the concepts of free will and agency. Cell by cell an unfolding begins … heart bursting with change.
When women are free, so are we all.
One hundred years ago, women across the nation from all backgrounds fought for the right to vote and to be seen as equals. Their historic victory in changing the nation’s laws is a cause for celebration and reflection. Now six women artists who occupy different mediums, perspectives, and geographies unite to add their voices and visions to a grand conversation.
Maritza Dávila (Memphis), Nkechi Ebubedike (New York), Elizabeth Ekpetorson (Nigeria), Christina Nicola (Miami), Jin Huang Powell (Memphis),and Yancy Villa-Calvo (Memphis)have created new works that reexamine this history and sees women’s bodies, and women’s roles in society as a medium for meaningful change, exploration, and celebration.
When we speak of undoing something, we speak of a reversal, unraveling a thread of thought, a state of being. We speak of change and transformation.
If we apply this to a person, what normally comes to mind is a downfall; but what if in undoing what was, we open ourselves to what we can become?
What if in undoing we liberate and free ourselves, our thinking—and each other?
