By Michelle Hines, University Relations
Contact: (336) 334-5371
Posted 3-13-08
NOTE: DATE OF ARTIST RECEPTION IS NOW SET FOR FRIDAY, APRIL 18.
TIME IS 3 P.M.-4:15 P.M.
'Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Wolf?' by Jessica Burke.
GREENSBORO, NC – “Excavation,” a series of graphite drawings by artist Jessica Burke, will be on display at UNCG through April 18.
The drawings, which express Burke’s views on gender and female sexuality, are exhibited in the Multicultural Resource Center on the bottom level of Elliott University Center. Burke, who works from her Greensboro studio, draws heavily on images from pop culture – Disney characters, Transformers, Scooby-Doo.
Burke says she regards femininity as a cultural construction. “I want to further support this conceptual construction with the environments that surround the figure, which represent cerebral spaces that underscore the gender performance as the focal point of the work. Gender is not binary, living only in terms of masculine and feminine.”
Burke wants her work to challenge audiences. “My work follows a consistent line of thought chronicling my evolving definition of ‘acceptable’ femininity,” she says. “I feel that there is an aspect of subtle confrontation in these images because I want to force myself as well as the viewer to assess our own prejudices based on our reaction to these images. Only by honestly addressing the fractures caused by these judgments and assumptions, can we begin a dialogue and subsequent action that can initiate a broader understanding and acceptance.”
A reception, free and open to the public, is scheduled for 5 p.m., Wed., April 2.
For more information, contact Jeffrey Coleman at (336) 334-5090.
