The Fluidity of Gender: Sculpture by Linda Stein
Artist’s reception: Nov. 30, 4:30 – 6 p.m. Artist’s talk: The Chance to Be Brave, The Courage to Dare Nov. 30, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. *Please note this show opens on a Monday due to Thanksgiving recess.Friday, November 4, 2011 09:58 AM
In The Fluidity of Gender artist-activist Linda Stein explores gender roles and
stereotypes. Using sculpture and video she reacts to notions about
empowerment, sexism—past and present, and the heroic female form.
Many of the larger-than-life heroic female torsos in this exhibition are incased in
black leather and embellished with delicious amounts of metal--utilitarian
buckles, chains, zippers, and purely decorative motifs. These forms are a
continuation of her sculptural series Knights which she began in 2002 as a
response to childhood fears and a search for female symbols of protection.
They are designed to scramble gender expectations and to merge opposites—
female/male, soft/strong, defensive/aggressive. Viewers may find them jarring
and formidable as well as seductive and inviting.
Stein’s leather-clad figures are joined by more colorful and whimsical acrylicized-
paper torsos that feature iconic Wonder Woman motifs. Stein continues to
ponder the super-power’s masculine strength that seems equally balanced with
feminine attributes of compassion and justice. She thinks about, “Wonder
Woman stopping the bad guys without ever killing”.
Stein holds degrees from Pratt Institute and Queens College, New York. She has
numerous solo and group exhibitions to her credit and is represented by
Flomenhaft Gallery, New York and Longstreth Goldberg Art in Florida. Her
archives are at Smith College and her website is www.LindaStein.com
A reception for the artist will be held Wednesday, November 30, 4: 30 – 6 p.m. in
the Martin Gallery. Guests will have the unique opportunity to try on some of the
sculpture and students from Karen Dearborn’s advanced dance composition will
perform. Stein will then deliver a slide lecture with Q & A in the adjacent Recital
Hall, 6:30 – 7:30. All gallery events and programs are free and open to the public.
Gallery hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays, noon – 8:00 p.m., other hours by
appointment; closed during semester breaks and holidays.
Contact: Kathryn Burke
Martin Art Gallery
Baker Center for the Arts
Muhlenberg College
484.664.3467
