Oakton 'Women and Anger' art exhibit opens Sept. 28

Posted September 10, 2017 11:00 pm

Oakton Community College submission

Ann Rosen's "Woman's Anger" represents a woman in pain and horror over the current political climate in America. She challenges this state as she sits back upon an entangled web of American images of flags and stars and stripes. Like today's women, the figure remains bound despite recent advances in the law, health and safety. Rosen is an artist, teacher, curator and retired executive director of The Art Center of Highland Park. Courtesy of Oakton Community College

"Women and Anger: Resistance, Power and Inspiration," a juried art exhibition that explores the relationship between women and anger, opens Thursday, Sept. 28, at Oakton Community College's Koehnline Museum of Art, 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines.

Enjoy a free gala reception with the artists from 5-8 p.m. on opening night.

This annual collaboration between Women's and Gender Studies (WGS) and the Koehnline Museum of Art will display more than 80 works by women artists from around the globe. This year's theme thoughtfully examines how well-placed anger can often be an impetus for healing, transformation and action. Submissions focus on women with either a contemporary or historical context or focus on issues related to women and anger in either the public or private sphere.

"The relationship between women and anger has always been a complex one," says Kathleen Carot, WGS coordinator. "Women have traditionally been discouraged from expressing anger for fear of being perceived as unladylike or worse - as dangerous or destabilizing. This exhibit demonstrates that anger can be used as a positive outlet."

"Today, many women are angry," says Judy Langston, exhibit curator. "Recent pushbacks in hard fought political and legal gains made by women, and ongoing assaults on the health and safety of women and other marginalized groups, as well as on the environment, would suggest that the time is right for some well-placed, righteous indignation. Most striking was the deeply felt anger and sadness women expressed about their own conditions. This is a great opportunity for the community to examine the talents and vulnerabilities of exceptional artists."

"Women and Anger: Resistance, Power and Inspiration" runs 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays, through Friday, Oct. 20.

The exhibit is funded in part by a generous grant from the Oakton Educational Foundation.

For information, visit www.oakton.edu/wgs or contact Carot at (847) 376-7061 or kcarot@oakton.edu.

Alisa Singer's "What Will We Tell the Kids?" seeks to probe the viewer's conscience asking you to consider how we might be called upon to explain our actions, or inactions, during these challenging times to future generations, including our own children and grandchildren. Singer is a self-taught artist who, since her retirement from the practice of corporate law, focuses on creating "art for cause." Courtesy of Oakton Community College

Mary Krebs Smyth's "Sing a Battle Song" focuses on the indignities and abusive treatment of Native Americans in both historical and contemporary contexts. The materials and colors of this piece reflect the Native American culture and incorporate wood, feathers, beads, metal, woven fabric, images and poetry from the 1975 bookmark from the Syracuse Cultural Workers Union. Smyth is a Wilmette-based artist and the curator of the North Shore Senior Center Gallery. Courtesy of Oakton Community College

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