Patching Femininity is a new exhibition by Olga Anacka explores and challenges visual representations of femininity and the female body in western culture.
Launching on February 1 at the Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, the artwork will be displayed until March 23.
Comprising a dozen embroidered tapestries, this body of work is very personal, with images derived from the artist’s memory and family archive, juxtaposed with symbolic representations of the feminine drawn from internet searches and commonplace stereotypes.
The artist examines the subject from the perspective of a mature, migrant woman who has experienced significant social change. In an honest conversation, she questions what is expected as feminine and attempts to define her personal position.
In developing this exhibition, the artist references Polish Critical Art of the 1990s, in particular the work of Alicja Żebrowska, Ela Jabłońska, Zbigniew Libera and Anna Baumgart.
She is inspired by authors such as Catherine Blackledge and Annie Ernaux, as well as memoirs of Kazimiera Czerniec who was her great-great-aunt born circa 1890.
Olga Anacka is a migrant conceptual artist working in mixed media from her Newbridge studio. Born in 1977 in Poland, she graduated from University of the Arts in Poznan in 2004.
A year later, she won a distinction in Olsztyn Art Biennial for the metal and clay installation, part of Sacred Landscapes series.
Her Cocoons, fabric sculptures from ME
She partakes in Cill Rialaig project and is a member of Visual Artists Ireland as well as Kildare Art Collective. Most recently, she was awarded Tyrone Guthrie Residency 2023 from Kildare County Council.
The official opening of this exhibition takes place at 7pm on February 1. The artist will give a talk on Friday, March 8 at 7pm. There are also Patching Femininity Workshops on Thursday, February 22 at 7pm, and on Saturday, March 16 at 10:30am.
Patching Femininity will be on display at the McKenna Gallery until March 23, from Monday to Friday 9:30am-5pm and Saturday 10am-1pm. Admission free. For further information contact the Riverbank Arts Centre.
