Maternal Instincts: Portraits of women in Oregon and Mexico
-- November 14th - December 5th 2008
Jessica Plattner: Artist Statement
"I have always loved historical paintings of the Madonna and child, which follow a pattern of pictorial development throughout western art history. Mary appears sometimes blissful, sometimes sorrowful, but always selfless and devoted to her child. In these images motherhood is shown to be a noble, self-sacrificing task; and maternity becomes the embodiment of true femininity. I love these paintings, but I'm wary of them too.
For women today, regardless of whether they have children or want to remain childless, the question of motherhood is crucial. For some women the choice is easy; for others it becomes a confusing juxtaposition of conflicting desires; and for many it isn't a choice at all. The issue raises various important questions about autonomy, social expectations, career options, and love, often becoming the most intimate mixture of the personal and the political. Women ask themselves: Can I reach the top of my professional field and also have a child? Can I be a mother and still be a feminist? What would it mean for me to be a woman without ever being a mother?
These questions inspire my paintings, which are based on informal conversations with women in Oregon and Mexico. As I paint, I try to translate each woman's ideas about her identity into visual form. I hope the resulting portraits present a nuanced approach to the complex role of motherhood (or non-motherhood) for real women, while still reflecting my interest in art-historical influences."
To view Jessica's Exhibition Essay visit:
http://www.jessicaplattner.com/Exhibition%20Essay.html
For more of Jessica Plattner's works visit her website: http://www.jessicaplattner.com
Past Shows
View the various shows of the past. View slideshows, read about the artists, and get a sense of how we do things around here.