Pandora’s Box
2008-2010
Artists
Laylah Ali (Williamstown), Ghada Amer (New York), Shary Boyle (Toronto), Amy Cutler (New York), Chitra Ganesh (New York), Annie Pootoogook (Nunavut), Wangechi Mutu (New York), Leesa Screifler (Regina), Kara Walker (New York), Su-en Wong (New York)
Ten female Canadian and American artists were selected for this exhibition entitled Pandora’s Box: how are each of these artists using their own particular cultural mythologies and historical storytelling to inform contemporary compelling issues of feminine identity, psychology, sexual innuendo, eroticism and cultural stereotypes? What has been released once Pandora’s Box has opened? According to Greek mythology, Pandora was the first woman. Pandora is famous for releasing all the world’s evil from her box. Indian, Egyptian, African, Singaporean, Canadian, First Nations Canadian, American and African American influences flow from the box. These works are violent, shocking, surprising, beautiful, decadent, decorative, seductive and graphic. Mediums represented included drawing, collage, ink on paper, projections, fabric, stitching and painting.