HERSTORY
"I am a woman, I will not be tamed."
On Tuesday November 1 from 4 to 5:30pm was the opening reception of Dana Leyba's first solo-exhibition Herstory. The work is exhibited at Illinois State University's Rachel Cooper Gallery which is an extension of the Women's and Gender Studies Program. This exhibition will be on display until January 20, 2017. Dana Leyba's inquiry is connecting women in art history as well as her personal life experiences.
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| https://www.artsy.net/artwork/claude-cahun-i-am-in-training-dont-kiss-me-1927 |
Dana Leyba's work is influenced by artists in history. First inspired by the Gauguin's paintings and their aesthetics of primitivism. In addition to Gauguin's application of paint to render the figure. However, Leyba is creating her own figurative sensibility when it comes to rendering the human figure. The work is actively engaging. Each mark leading the viewer into another layer. There is a relationship between painting, drawing and more recently text. This text is smart and witty. In particular to "I AM IN TRAINING DON'T KISS ME," Leyba is commemorating Claude Cahun's I am in training, don't kiss me, 1927. Dana Leyba explores collage with cardboard and leaf forms giving the paintings material physicality beyond paint.
I AM IN TRAINING
DON'T KISS ME
I am studying
I am advancing
I am creating
A future
A goal
An Achievement
In HERSTORY
Dana Leyba is a woman as well as a sister, artist, student, being, and thinker in the world today.
Leyba has eliminated the role of a man and has become another voice for the power of women. Depicting that woman are more than a pretty body or face to gaze at. Her work, particularly her nudes, are not in conversation with the male gaze. It is about being a woman. The embodiment and embracing that being a woman is more than an emotional metaphysical state, but the unavoidable physical characteristics. Women are intelligent, hard working, attentive, and loving. Dana Leyba reveals her relationship as being part of a triplet with her two sisters. This relationship is significant for the three woman nudes. Each painting depicting a different way of behaving as well as being. The nudes are not rendered to be considered "sexy" and "open for invitation." The application of paint is opaque, bold, and brief. Leyba succeeds in illustrative with cool to warm outline while achieving a energy.
This is not your body
It is mine
I am free
I am reserved
I am existing in between
Red outline
Heated skin
Unamused of your gaze
Not the intention
Not the Invitation
I am but a woman
Laying
No peeping
This small exhibition is a strong start to Dana Leyba's emerging career. In addition, to fueling her continued body of work participating in post-feminist conversation. Leyba is challenging the roles society puts on women. Dana Leyba has become a powerful voice and embarking on a positive future in painting. Herstory is a must see exhibition.
