Feminism   Now

Heidi Hernandez

For this collection of portrait paintings, I wanted to discover the experiences of female working artists whom I admire. I wondered what challenges they had faced in their field. What difficulties did they experience being female in everyday life? Did their experience prove it is more difficult for a woman to succeed as an artist?

I was curious to know if the artists consider themselves Feminists.

The word itself holds power and mystique. A bad word to some, a call for solidarity to others.

FEMINISM

noun, The advocacy of women’s rights on the basis of the equality of the sexes.

Advocacy. One-Hundred Years ago (2020) women acquired the right to vote. It saddens me, in the interviews and conversations I conducted, there continues to be a sizable amount of unjust treatment and pay for women. Feminism is a sound, a spark, a feeling of pride, a desire to be treated as human.

I was delighted to receive stories of positive experiences; humans beings judged based on their character.

About the work:

The collection of portraits I paint capture an exterior, a facade judged unfairly based on stereotypes and bias. The portraits are monochromatic with subtle, desaturated color schemes. The element of surprise is revealed during the installation. The portraits, hung using spacers (approx. 1inch), look as though they are floating. Hidden truths will be hung behind the portraits: draped, painted, mixed media; peeking out underneath the edge of the painting or slightly above. Inviting the viewer to take a closer look and inquire. These secret wonders will be based on the interview, expressing the person’s experience and identity.