Mary E. Rawlyk, Measuring Cup Woman, Reflecting, 1982, Gift of Mary E. Rawlyk, 2004 (47-021.13). Credit: Bernard Clark
Exhibitions
Mary Rawlyk and Martha Rosler: slow boil
Frances K. Smith Gallery
17 June - 29 October 2006
In a timely reconsideration of the contributions of second wave feminism and its artistic emanations, slow boil brings together prints by Kingston artist Mary Rawlyk and a video by American artist Martha Rosler. In mood and inventive use of form, Rawlyk's works from the 1970s and 1980s resonate with Rosler's 1975 Semiotics of the Kitchen. This iconic videotape captures a deadpan show-and-tell of kitchen utensils and their applications: in the hands of the artist/performer, these objects insidiously transgress their familiar associations. Through humour and irony tinged with edgy surrealistic imaginings, slow boil reflects the gendered conventions of domestic life that were called into question during this period.
A reception in honour of Mary Rawlyk's gift of 44 prints and drawings to the Art Centre's permanent collection will be held on Sunday 18 June, 2 - 4 pm. The event will begin with a screening of the Mary Rawlyk segment of the documentary series THE VIEW FROM MY ROOM IS GREAT: KINGSTON VISUAL ARTISTS (1983, produced by Tom Evans with videography by Derek Redmond) at 2:00 pm. The artist will be present, and exhibition curator Jocelyn Purdie will introduce the film.
Curated by Jocelyn Purdie as part of a practicum course in the graduate program of the Queen's University Department of Art.
Jan Allen