Self-Evidence: Identity in Contemporary Art
Ambreen Butt, Untitled, 2003, from "I must Utter What Comes to My Lips," watercolor on paper, Courtesy of the Artist and Bernard Toale Gallery, Boston, MA
Joyce and Edward Linde Gallery, James and Audrey Foster Galleries, Arcade Gallery, Media Space @ DeCordova/Phyllis and Jerome Lyle Rappaport Gallery
February 7 – May 30, 2004
Click here for a list of gallery talks by artists in this show
Artists have long explored their identities through representing their likenesses in self-portraiture. Self-Evidence, however, focuses on contemporary artists who examine their identities by using themselves or aspects of themselves as a starting point for exploring larger issues and their relation to the self. Some of these issues include the effect of illness or trauma on one's body and mind, aging and identity, the individual's relationship to family, cultural or ethnic identity, genetic identity and identification, sexuality and gender, the lasting evidence of an individual's existence after he or she is absent, and the artist's identity in relation to his or her artistic predecessors.
Karin Stack, Detail of Hair Stories, 2001, 17 minute audio, 52 inkjet prints and flip books. Lent by the Artist
In this post-9/11, post-modern, and digital era, the works in Self-Evidence demonstrate that identity is complicated, unfixed, ever changing, constructed, and also unlimited. Because of the new technologies available to contemporary artists, this show not only includes photography, painting, sculpture, and works on paper, but also installation work, video, holography, digital, and Web-based art.
Linn Underhill, Untitled from "NoMan's Land (After George Platt Lynes)", 1999, silver gelatin print, 14x11", Lent by the Artist
Participating artists include Steve Aishman, Sachiko Akiyama, Karl Baden, Gerry Bergstein, Walead Beshty, Ambreen Butt, Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons, Harriet Casdin-Silver, Patty Chang, Chrissy Conant, Randall Deihl, Ann Fessler, Tom Friedman, Jen Hall, Susan Hauptman, Tim Hawkinson, Denise Marika, Annu Palakannathu Matthew, John O'Reilly, Danica Phelps, Barbara Poole, Gary Schneider, Duane Slick, Sage Sohier, Karin Stack, Linn Underhill, Bill Viola, and Dan Younger.
Sage Sohier, Mum in her bathtub, Washington, D.C., 2002, from "Mother", c-print, 20x24". Lent by the Artist
Self-Evidence is accompanied by a forty-page illustrated catalogue and is organized by Rachel Rosenfield Lafo, Director of Curatorial Affairs, George Fifield, Curator of New Media, and Francine Weiss, Curatorial Fellow.
Programs
Gallery Talks: Meet the Artists
Third Floor Lobby, Saturdays at 3 pm
The act of creating artwork can be just as exciting as looking at the final product. Meet and discuss the creative process with local New England artists who currently have work on view at DeCordova. Drop by DeCordova and have your questions answered. Free with Museum admission.
Self-Evidence: Identity in Contemporary Art
Chrissy Conant: February 7
Jennifer Hall: February 28
Karl Baden: March 6
Barbara Poole: March 20
Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons: March 27
Annu Palakunnathu Matthew: April 3
Gerry Bergstein: May 1
Denise Marika: May 15
