"Artist, Gender and Subtext" Artist Discussion @ Cotuit Center for the Arts

When: Wed Sep 26th
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Where: Cotuit Center for the Arts | 4404 Falmouth Road | Cotuit

A public discussion on art, gender, and the creative process will be held Wednesday, September 26, at 7 PM. Members of the current theatrical performers at the Center will be in attendance as well as the artists.

The theme of the show, the role of gender in art, relates to the art center's fall theatrical productions: "Five Women Wearing the Same Dress," running September 13 to 30, and "Twelve Angry Men, running October 4 to 21.

"Artist, Gender, and Subtext" offers no definitive statement on the many ways in which gender may affect creativity, art, and perceptions of art, but the theme has generated many long discussions among the show's curator, Britt Beedenbender, and the artists over the past five months.

"Maybe we will discover something about gender, and maybe we won't, but the ongoing discussion has been illuminating," says Ms. Beedenbender.

Mr. Neal suggests it may be difficult to draw any conclusions on gender in art from a sample of two artists; their work, though quite different, shares some similarities of subject matter and expression. It is interesting to note that Mr. Neal is the father of two young men in their 20s, and Ms. Reeves, one of six sisters, is the mother of three pre-teen daughters.

Ms. Reeves' work was initially concentrated on the figure, especially the female figure. With many strong female role models in her life, she explored transitions from one stage of womanhood to another, taking simple moments and giving them an ethereal beauty.

Over the past few months, she has begun to explore different directions, focusing on an abstract representation of shapes, color, foreground, and background, rather than on the actual figure engaging in a specific activity.

Mr. Neal is known for his large, dark, deeply textured mixed-media portraits, full of unexpected objects, such as nails, wires, construction implements, a child's train track or doll, torn tar paper, computer parts, and even an old shoe.

In conjunction with the Reeves/Neal exhibit, the Cotuit Center for the Arts will host "Gender in Art," a concurrent exhibit of recent works by local artists. Artists are invited to enter up to two gallery-ready pieces each. Three-dimensional and large works are encouraged. Drop-off for jurying is Tuesday, September 4, from 10 AM to 4 PM. Beedenbender, Reeves, and Neal will jury the show.

Cotuit Center for the Arts is at 4404 Route 28 in Cotuit. For more information on "Artist, Gender and Subtext: Jackie Reeves and Richard Neal" and "Gender in Art," visit artsonthecape.org or call 508-428-0669.

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