Female Gazes Art Exhibition

50 Alberta women artists have painted women in an attempt to provide the Female Gaze. Historically women have been painted by men. The Male Gaze. Come to the show and see how women view women. Enjoy paintings and Perrier, cupcakes and conversation at the Grand Opening

Artist Kim Shanks was taking in 18th Century artist Francois Boucher’s portrait, Resting Girl, when the light came on.

“I realized – I was shocked to realize – that Boucher had taken everything away from his subject. She was invisible but for her body. She had no dignity. She had been objectified.”
Then Kim realized almost all female portraiture was in the same boat. All celebrated artists, up until the 20th Century were men. Women painting/representing women were largely unknown.
“In the Time-Life book series on art history, ALL the painters were male,” points out Kim. “Women were rarely mentioned as artists. Up until the recent past, we were not allowed to gather publicly, or be in cultural groups.”

The imbalance exists to this day. Kim wanted to do something. She put out a call to other female artists to join an art show that would celebrate women painting women, “as subjects, not objects, as friends who know each other.”

The response surpassed her most optimistic hopes.

Joining Kim in the art show Female Gazes, at The Paint Spot art supply store from October 9, 2024 to November 18 are paintings from nearly 50 female artists for whom the call – women celebrating women in art – had deep resonance.

Everybody welcome!