The idea for this exhibition, Seeing and Being Seen, was catalyzed by a recent donation of a selection of British and European prints, which included works by: Frank Auerbach, Lucien Freud and Paula Rego. These works are a wonderful addition to our collection, contributing to the representation of 20th century art and enhancing our large collection of works on paper. In the last few years, we were also fortunate to receive other significant donations, including works on paper by Mary Cassatt and Pablo Picasso.
Interestingly, many of these works feature representations of women. It is well known that the female body has been a popular subject of European art for centuries. Much has been written about the male gaze, the eroticization and objectification of the female subject in art, as well as how we attempt to counter stereotypes of the feminine and address the changing role of women in society, as well as in the art world itself. We know that no gaze is neutral and there are many interactions at play between artist, sitter and viewer. Using a paid model, sketching strangers in a café, painting your intimate partner, or photographing your own children, all create unique dynamics between artist and subject.
These recent acquisitions provoked further research into the AGA’s existing collection holdings, to look at representations of women, and more specifically representations of women by women artists. The exhibition features a wide selection of works, from the recent acquisitions described above, to works created by a wide selection of artists from the early 20th to the 21st centuries, from Canada and abroad. The exhibition includes portraits, self-portraits, figurative studies as well as scenes that depict some key moments in women’s lives, from girlhood to motherhood, of women both seeing and being seen.