Lynn Hershman Leeson, Tubal Invasion, Phantom Limb Series, 1987
Gelatin silver print on archival paper, 15” x 20”
Image courtesy of Altman Siegel Gallery.
The John Natsoulas Gallery is pleased to announce that, coinciding with Women’s History Month, we will be hosting an exhibition entitled Women of Northern California: Making Meaning for Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. This exceptional exhibit will showcase how women have and continue to develop unique artistic visions that derive from the varied social, political, and cultural experiences that are endemic to this particular region. Northern California is a unique nexus of influences, and the women who are a product of this environment have drawn from diverse sources of inspiration.
This exhibition and the accompanying publication will contribute to the overdue recognition of many of these outstanding artists. While women have played a crucial role in building the regional artistic community and have pushed art making in new directions, their persisting exclusion from the artistic canon is an issue that needs correcting. This exhibit is a celebration of the strong, influential women who have led the way in establishing and developing artistic movements and media. It will also offer the opportunity to explore the many ways in which these artists have contextualized and represent their experiences living as women in Northern California. Through this examination of both historic and contemporary art, the collection of art will highlight the tenacity of the artistic legacies that women establish, often for other women. By looking at the past and present, we aim to reveal the vision of the future.
Featured Artists
Salma Arastu, Joan Brown, Squeak Carnwath, Julia Couzens, Jay DeFeo, Allison Fall, Viola Frey, Kim Frohsin, Franceska Gamez, Michelle Gregor, Lynn Hershman Leeson, Laura Hohlwein, Mildred Howard, Margaret Keelan, Sahar Khoury, Marilyn Levine, Hung Liu, Pat Mahony, Kara Maria, Klea McKenna, Jenna Meacham, Michelle Murillo, Deborah Oropallo, Emmy Lou Packard, Lucy Puls, Rachelle Reichert, Lisa Reinertson, M. Louise Stanley, and Seongmin Yoo
The opening reception for the exhibition will be on Saturday March 4 from 7:00 – 9:00pm. There will be refreshments and a performance by one of the featured artists – Allison Fall. Come enjoy a night to celebrate seven decades of art by Northern California’s most notable women artists.
Curated by Sarah Poisner
Deborah Oropallo, Uprising, 1992 Oil on canvas, 96" x 76"
Julia Couzens, History Lessons, 2009-2018 Plastic fruit baskets, mother’s crocheted quilt, 96" x 96"
Joan Brown, The Seduction #5, David and Stephanie, 1976 Acrylic, ink wash, and pencil on paper, 24" x 36"
Lucy Puls, Adiumentum (Pain, Anxiety, Insomnia, Migraine), 2022 Found necklaces, epoxy resin, personal medication, RX packaging debris, 101" x 15" x 7"
Klea McKenna, Snakes in the Garden (1), 2018, Photographic relief, sepia and selenium toned unique photogram on gelatin silver fiber paper, impression of the silk fringes of a Manton de Manila or Piano Shawl, Spain (via China, Philippines, and Mexico, 1870s), 39.75 x 36.5 inches, Courtesy of the artist and Euquinom Gallery
Pat Mahony, Garden with Bamboo Pole, 2022, oil on linen on wood panel, 45" x 41"
Rachelle Reichert, Mercury Ash Moon, 2022 San Francisco Bay salt, redwood ash, resin, iron, on panel, 36" x 36" x 3"
Michelle Murillo, DNA Map: In the Letters, Europe and Africa, 2014 Screen printed and fused glass, each 15" x 15" x 2"
Sahar Khoury, Untitled (cage with handles and belts), 2019, Ceramic, steel, belts, 38" x 38" x 25" Courtesy of the artist and Rebecca Camacho Presents, San Francisco
Mildred Howard, Untitled (White Hand), 2003, Ceramic, paint, wood, 10" x 8" x 9.5"
Jay DeFeo, Reflections of Africa No. 6, 1987, Charcoal and acrylic with tape on paper, 11 x 13.25 inches, © The Jay DeFeo Foundation/Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY.
Jay DeFeo, Reflections of Africa No. 5, 1987, Charcoal and acrylic with tape on paper, 11 x 13.25 inches, © The Jay DeFeo Foundation/Artists Rights Society (ARS), NY.
Viola Frey, Monkey Plate, 1988, Ceramic, 15" x 26" x 26"
Marylin Levine, Rose’s Cup, 1974, Ceramic, 5" x 5" x 3.5"
Salma Arastu, Praying Together, 2009, Acrylic on canvas, 36" x 60"
Jenna Meacham, Mom Complex, 2022, Printed cotton, 40" x 27.5"
Margaret Keelan, Where Will All the Flowers Go?, 2022, Porcelain, 10" x 8" x 9.5"
Joan Brown, Cucumber and Lemon, 1965, Oil on plywood board, 16.25" x 15"
Ruth Asawa, San Francisco Fountain, Hyatt on Union Square Photo lithograph, 7 3/4 x 23 3/4 inches Photograph © Laurence Cuneo, Photolithography by George Waters Artwork © 2023 Ruth Asawa Lanier, Inc./Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. Courtesy David Zwirner
Michelle Gregor, Odalisque II, 2018, ceramic and glazes, 36" x 24" x 14"
Kim Frohsin, U-Lee Dinner, 1994, Oil on canvas, 48" x 36"
M. Louise Stanley, Death of a Saleswoman, 1981, Oil on paper, 29" x 22"
Maija Peeples Bright, Wallabies and Walrus, 1974, Acrylic and mixed media on canvas, 24″ x 30″
Kara Maria, Lust (After Ensor), 2012, Ink and watercolor on paper, 10.5" x 14.5"
Squeak Carnwath, Keep Still, 1984, Oil and acrylic on canvas, 48" x 48"
Lisa Reinertson, Woodpecker, 2012, Ceramic, 26.5" x 13" x 7"
Emmy Lou Packard, Merry Go Round, c. 1955, Linoleum cut, 18" x 21"
Laura Hohlwein, Leaving the Green Room, 2009, Oil on canvas, 60" x 60"
Allison Fall, Still from Eat Your Feelings Performance, 2023, Yarn, handkerchief, clay slip, fondant, cocoa powder on canvas
Franceska Gamez, Ikaw (Malakas at Maganda), 2021, Mixed media, 72 x 36 inches Photography credit: Melissa Uroff