Bitches
September 12 – October 31, 2003
Woodward Gallery
Woodward Gallery is proud to open the Fall season with the exciting, new paintings of the acclaimed Artist Cristina Vergano.
Vergano’s latest cycle of paintings is populated with assertive, wistful or childish “women-dogs”.
These lovely creatures inhabit varied social, mythical or historical contexts. They are surrounded by symbolic objects which hold clues and hints about the subject’s background and inner life. The latin inscriptions in many of the paintings (composed by Vergano or taken from classical authors) constitute another layer to be deciphered; a cryptic and often ironic
commentary by the Artist. The characters communicate through their meticulously painted human features- a serene self-awareness.
Vergano’s bitches are colorful in character and tone as well. These hybrids represent the most contemporary animals in Cristina Vergano’s visionary world to date. The Artist’s vast interest in history, culture and religion as a ready resource lends to the political and social humor in these strikingly beautiful oils. She engagingly transforms classical portraiture with her expected, unique wit and passion.
Cristina Vergano treads lightly on the subjects of feminism and race. Her paintings are allegories and parables of the female condition, yet Vergano’s bitches represent all of us who overcome and rise above. They brim with vitality, self assurance, and the joy and consciousness of being human and female.