WOMEN OF VALOR:
Jaune Quick-to-see Smith
and
Linda Stein
September 10 - October 24, 2009
The Flomenhaft Gallery is proud to present the art of two exciting women artists who dedicate their lives and work to the betterment of humanity.
Jaune Quick-to-See Smith is one of the most acclaimed American Indian artists today. She has been reviewed in all major art periodicals. Smith has had over 80 solo exhibits in the past 30 years, and has done numerous printmaking projects nationwide. Smith calls herself a cultural art worker which is also apparent in her work. With a unity of idea and material, Smith elaborates on her Native worldview, and addresses today's tribal politics, human rights and environmental issues with humor. But when she addresses the subject of war which she abhors, her emphasis is forthright and absent of any humor. Jaune has said, “I think probably my strongest suit is as someone who enlightens the greater community about our native view of life. Our tradition is very close to Buddhism. There is no hierarchy. Humans are not in control of any of the environment or of nature, simply part of nature, and Buddhists call it the great net. They say that we’re only one little knot in the net, which includes all plants, animals and insects; everything that’s living. It is also the traditional Native belief. Basically there is a common thread that runs through all indigenous tribes, that all of nature has an equivalency because it’s made of air, water, earth, and the minerals of earth, and there is a life force that blows through all of that connecting us together. So what we damage eventually comes back to haunt us later. The works on view are a mini-review that reach back to the early 90’s.
Since 9/11 female armored figures, which she dubs knights, appeared in Linda Stein’s sculptures. Sharing the grief, the vociferous outcry of all Manhattanites, their purpose, strong like bodyguards yet vulnerable, and often created from shards of urban detritus, is to protect. There is a great element of risk as Stein might make a metal or wood template of a torso onto which she will fuse a variety of stone, wood and additional metals. So deft are the results, it is hardly possible to disentangle the artist from the craftsman. A wooden bowl may become a breast and an amalgam of metals may form a pelvic area. After several years of creating knights, Stein was also drawn to the comic book figure of Wonder Woman. She calls her the uber-female of her youth. She remembers that every comic book about Wonder Woman began like this: “With the beauty of Aphrodite, the wisdom of Athena, the strength of Hercules and the speed of Mercury, Wonder Woman arrives. Never before has the need for this hero been so great. Time beckons and the warrior woman comes- to weave her spell and further the cause of peace, equality and security in a world that seems to be spiraling madly towards perpetual war.” How apt. Stein’s sculptures sprang from the same feelings.
In addition to sculptures and interactive Wonder Woman-based collaged garments for guests to whirl in, a video based on Wonder Woman’s life enlivens the exhibit. You can also view Stein's video work on youtube.