Against the Ropes was inspired by the televised world of women’s pro wrestling and feminist writing on the topic of women’s anger, its suppression, and its power to catalyze change. The paintings depict skilled female athletes staging choreographed physical battles; pushing, shoving, choking and slamming against portrayals of the female body as docile, still, passive and available within mainstream culture, art history, and social media.
Press:
“Finding Empowerment In Female Professional Wrestlers” by Sarah Hotchkiss for KQED Arts
Against the Ropes, Installation view, Marrow Gallery, San Francisco, CA, September 2019. Photo credit: John Janca
Battle Royal, 47 x 60 inches, Watercolor on Paper, 2019 Notes: In this scene from the first ever WWE women’s battle royale (2018), a contemporary wrestler referencing a founder of women’s wrestling is thrown from of the ring. “The Fabulous Moolah” was accused of exploiting women who worked for her.
Good and Mad, 28 x 30 inches, Watercolor on Paper, 2019 Notes: 1990s WWF, Lucha Libre, and WCW superstar Bull Nakano, titled after Rebecca Traister’s book “Good and Mad” which explores the political power of women’s anger.
Hard To Love, 43 x 57 inches, Watercolor on Paper, 2019 Notes: WWE superstars Sasha Banks and Charlotte Flair, titled after Briallen Hopper’s collection of essays and short stories. (Private Collection)
Push Comes to Shove, 22 x 30 inches, Watercolor on Paper, 2019 Notes: Kyoko Inoue pins Vixsin, titled for Maud Lavin’s 2010 collection of essays exploring portrayals of ‘aggressive’ women film, art, and contemporary culture.
Lean In, 43 x 50 inches, Watercolor on Paper, 2019 Notes: “Spike” from the original 1980s G.L.O.W. television series with her signature ring of fire. Titled after Sheryl Sandberg’s career guide for working mothers.
Against the Ropes, 14 x 14 inches, Watercolor on Paper, 2019 Notes: Some of the brilliant feminist writing that inspired these paintings. (Private Collection)
The Power, 15 x 22 inches, Watercolor on Paper, 2019. Notes: Luchadora Cristal of Lucha Libre fame, titled for Naomi Alderman’s novel “The Power” in which women develop the ability to emit electric shocks from their fingertips, making them the dominant gender. (Private Collection)
Against the Ropes, Installation view, Marrow Gallery, San Francisco, CA, September 2019. Photo credit: John Janca