Carolyn Castaño, After America Femmage Kelly, 2019.
From sculptures of golden valkyries to oil paintings of mythological figures, an art exhibition opening at Chaffey College on Sept. 8 will feature the work of artists reimagining mythology, feminist archetypes and speculative futures.
“A Racket of Banshees: Goddesses and Monsters Re-Imagined” will be presented by the Association of Hysteric Curators, a group founded in Los Angeles that supports feminist artists.
“This ambitious group exhibition brings together a vibrant roster of artists working across sculpture, painting, photography, video and mixed media, offering visitors a rich and stimulating viewing experience,” said Wignall Museum Director Rebecca Trawick. “We are honored to welcome such a diverse and accomplished group of artists to the Wignall Museum.”
The exhibition expands on the 2023 online exhibition “Goddesses and Monsters” that was featured at the Los Angeles gallery LADIES’ ROOM.
“Blending the divine and the monstrous, the exhibition explores transformation, gender equity and imagined futures,” Trawick said. “Monsters challenge the status quo, while goddesses illuminate unknown possibilities.”
During the exhibition, artists Allison Stewart and Susan Arena will lead free, hands-on art workshops focused on the exhibition’s themes.
Many of the artists included in this event will be present for an artist’s reception from 2 to 4 p.m. Sept. 12, at the Wignall Museum. The reception is free and open to the public
Elements of popular culture – such as the July release of Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” – reflect the timelessness of mythology that continues to inspire artists, Trawick said.
“Mythology and monster stories continue to resonate because they give shape to our fears and anxieties,” she said. “By embodying complex emotions and universal struggles, they provide a framework for understanding the human experience, reflecting our deepest fears, desires, and ambitions.”
The exhibition will run through Nov. 14. The Wignall Museum is open Monday through Thursday from noon to 4 p.m. except on campus holidays and closures. Learn more about the Wignall Museum online.
