Aug 2 – Sept 21
Gallery Reception: Friday, Aug 2, 6-9 p.m.
Artist Talk at 8 p.m.
Inspired by 40’s and 50’s aesthetics, photo artist Rachel Feinstein illuminates the complex fears and perfectionisms associated with being a woman in our culture today.
Rachel Feinstein:
“Women’s bodily autonomy is a crucial and deeply personal subject that I
work to explore. Growing up, I was enchanted by the old cinematic masterpieces of the 40s and 50s, which tended to contradict my own beliefs regarding women’s potential and agency. This led to my exploration, seeking to illuminate the fear I experience in a world that fails to provide adequate support.
I strive to create a space for viewers to engage with and interpret the complexity of women’s daily lived experiences. I aim to offer a closer glimpse into the emotions and pressures women are compelled to endure. For far too long, society has been shaped by the pervasive male gaze, an overarching perspective that has influenced the way women are seen and represented. Women have worked to sustain the illusion of flawlessness for centuries with the help of the male gaze to sustain that pressure. In my work, the viewer first sees an idealized image, but when one takes the time to look deeper, the tension and discomfort become evident. Therefore, it showcases the unreachable destination of perfection that women constantly feel pressured to chase.”
For the duration of Meat On Her Bones, Feinstein is also collecting item donations for WomanSafe Inc., The Green House, an emergency shelter and resource center for survivors of domestic violence in Northeast Ohio. A space to place cleaning supplies, hygienic supplies, household items, infant-related items, and clothing for all ages will be held in the café, and delivered by Feinstein at the close of her show.
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Rachel Feinstein is a photographer from Cleveland, Ohio, and is now based in New York City. She received her BFA in photography at Kent State University. Her work centers around the space women hold in our society by pulling from cinematic stills from the past and adding hidden tension to create a slight discomfort for the audience. She has recently been featured in prominent exhibitions, including showcases at Galerie Anita Beckers in Frankfurt, Germany, the “Just Women” exhibition in Milan, Italy, and the Women Made Gallery in Chicago.
Meat On Her Bones will be open through September 21 during regular gallery hours on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 12pm-4pm, and by appointment on weekdays. To request an appointment, email gallery@waterlooarts.org or call 216.692.9500.
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