FEATURED ARTISTS:

Aleksandra Scepanovic, Anh Ly, Bethany Bash, Ciara DeMelo, Claudia Bokulich, Daria Denisenko, Darla Jackson, Devyn Dais, Dafna Steinberg, Dolly Whitley, Emily Stroud, Eryn Hammond, Gavi Weitzman, Jackie Conley, Jee Hwang, Jennifer Louise, Jennifer Sarah Blakeslee, Jess Danyi, Julia E. Katz, Juno Rosenhaus, Katelyn Knight, Katie Petersen, Kathran Siegel, Kristen Newell, Krissy Whiski, Lauren E. Peters, Lisa Hendrickson, Mia Fabrizio, Melissa Powers, Nevaeh Ryals, Noemi Nieves-Hoblin, Odochi Akwani, Peg Belcastro, Sienna Pinderhughes, Salma Michelle Garcia, Sarah Goffney, Sarah Renzi Sanders, Shan Sims, Shannon Cronin, Stephanie Gartanutti, Stephanie L Grant, Symphonii Smith-Kennedy, Temple Douglass, Therese Brown, and tough gossamer

About the exhibition:

The Female Gaze is an exhibition dedicated to self-portraits by female artists from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and ages. It presents a compelling narrative that challenges traditional representations of women and redefines the concept of the gaze in art. By focusing on self-portraits, the exhibition highlights how female artists navigate, interrogate, and reclaim their identities through their own artistic perspectives.

The concept of the male gaze, articulated by Laura Mulvey in her 1975 essay "Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema," describes how women are often portrayed from a heterosexual male perspective, reducing them to objects of desire. Historically, this dynamic reflects societal roles where men were typically the artists, patrons, and critics, while women served as subjects. This perspective is evident across art forms—from classical paintings and sculptures to photography and film—where female figures are frequently depicted to emphasize beauty and sexuality, reinforcing gender power imbalances.

The female gaze, by contrast, subverts the dominance of the male gaze by presenting women as subjects with agency, complexity, and depth. The Female Gaze celebrates female self-portraiture, showcasing works where women portray themselves through their own experiences and perspectives. This shift allows for more nuanced and authentic depictions, emphasizing individuality, strength, and humanity.

In The Female Gaze, women are not merely objects to be viewed but active participants in the creation and interpretation of art. By spotlighting self-portraits, the exhibition breaks away from traditional, reductive portrayals imposed by the male gaze, challenging patriarchal norms and promoting gender equality in the art world.

The Female Gaze will be on view in Gallery 1 from February 27 - March 23, 2025 with an opening reception on Saturday, March 1st from 4-7pm.

ABOUT THE CURATOR:

Sarah R. Bloom is an accomplished artist and photographer based in the Philadelphia region. Her compelling photographs have been featured in The Daily Mail, Philadelphia Magazine, and The Huffington Post. Named Best Visual Artist by Philadelphia Magazine in 2015, her work has been exhibited at notable venues including the State Museum of Pennsylvania, The Perkins Center for the Arts, The Woodmere Art Museum, The Biggs Museum, and The Delaware Contemporary. Sarah is a member of the Women’s Caucus for Art, Da Vinci Art Alliance (DVAA), and Hidden City Philadelphia. She serves on the DVAA Board and has organized international juried exhibitions for the Women’s Caucus for Art.

ABOUT THE JURORS

Chelsey Luster is a Philadelphia-based curator, educator, and visual artist originally from Baltimore, Maryland, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Tyler School of Art and Architecture. As a curator, Chelsey is committed to fostering environments for artistic expression that highlight the intersections of queerness, race, and gender, while challenging monolithic beliefs about diverse cultures through immersive installations.

Currently she serves as the Exhibition Manager at Philadelphia's Magic Gardens and has curated exhibitions at institutions such as IceBox Project Space, Da Vinci Art Alliance, the Center for Emerging Visual Artists, and the William Way LGBT+ Center. Chelsey's practice emphasizes long-term support and creative agency, reshaping the power dynamics between curators and artists to build a care-centered community.

Lauren Rinaldi is an American artist based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A graduate of Temple University’s Tyler School of Art, Lauren is represented by Paradigm Gallery + Studio. She has exhibited her work in solo shows at Paradigm Gallery + Studio in Philadelphia and extensively in group shows throughout the United States. In addition to maintaining a vibrant studio practice, Lauren is deeply engaged in her community. She serves as the Arts & Culture Liaison for Council member Rue Landau, is a trained muralist, an independent curator, and an active participant in local political organizing and volunteer efforts. Balancing these roles with her life as a mother, Lauren brings a multifaceted perspective to her art and community work.