The artwork series “FEMME” and “Be A Lady (they said)” reflect on the stereotypes, contradicting ideals, and standards about women. They translate the complex manifestations into minimalistic canvas sculptures by using contrasting materials and a minimalistic formal language.
The combination of nails and canvas is used to highlight the contradiction of hardness as opposed to the sensitive canvas fabric, representing rawness and strength, but also rebellion against the hard grid of societal expectation.
In addition to autobiographical inspiration, the artwork is a visual statement on the poem “Be a lady they said” by Camille Rainville, which gained popularity in 2020 in a video narrated by Cynthia Nixon.
The combination of nails and canvas is used to highlight the contradiction of hardness as opposed to the sensitive canvas fabric, representing rawness and strength, but also rebellion against the hard grid of societal expectation.
In addition to autobiographical inspiration, the artwork is a visual statement on the poem “Be a lady they said” by Camille Rainville, which gained popularity in 2020 in a video narrated by Cynthia Nixon.
Be a lady they said.
Your skirt is too short. Your shirt is too low. Your pants are too tight. Don’t show so much skin. Don’t show your thighs. Don’t show your breasts. Don’t show your midriff. Don’t show your cleavage. Don’t show your underwear. Don’t show your shoulders. Cover up. Leave something to the imagination. Dress modestly. Don’t be a temptress. Men can’t control themselves. Men have needs. You look frumpy. Loosen up. Show some skin. Look sexy. Look hot. Don’t be so provocative. You’re asking for it. Wear black. Wear heels. You’re too dressed up. You’re too dressed down. Don’t wear those sweatpants; you look like you’ve let yourself go. […]” (C. Rainville)
The artworks of this series have been exhibited on a number of occasions, including the solo-exhibition "Bianca Ion - Skulpturen auf Leinwand" (2020, curated by Junge Kunst).
FEMME
2019, 40 x 50 cm, nails on canvas
2019, 40 x 50 cm, nails on canvas
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BE A LADY (they said)
2020, 50 x 70 cm, nails on canvas
2020, 50 x 70 cm, nails on canvas
bianca.ion@gmx.at
