Four women featured in art exhibition

When you look at a painting can you tell if it was done by a man or a woman? A new exhibition opening at the Image Factory may help answer that question.

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting

Women are very much at the centre of the fine arts scene. That’s the message four female artists are sending out to the general public through their latest exhibition.

Pamela Braun, Artist

“Making people understand that there are women who do it as well and that the art is valid, that it is not just something to hang in a house or for themselves. Most of the paintings you’ll find have a cultural aspect to them regardless of the subject matter. So I think it is just a matter of the women getting the exposure that will let the people know that it is viable for women to become artists.”

The new artwork features the work of Mercy Sabal, Sandra March, Mary O’Connor and Pamela Braun. It is not the first time the ladies have worked together. One year ago, the women, who are friends, decided to host the show. Pamela Braun says many female artists struggle in the business because of circumstances beyond their control.

Pamela Braun

“Anybody who actually sees a woman artist has to come with enough respect behind that she has worked ten times harder than the male counterpart to reach a level.”

“It is still primarily something that men do. It is still dominated by men, which is not to say that we are having the battle of the sexes or that we hate men; it is nothing like that. But if you think about it, women are inherently creative and a lot of times we start of with crochet or knitting or some kind of curtain, you know making curtains for the house, decorating the house, it’s all creativity. And then it just manifest itself to a very few in the fine arts. Most women are so busy that it can’t manifest into fine art area because of the children, you know it is just all those things.”

The exhibition will run for one month at the Image Factory. Pieces are on sale. Jacqueline Woods reporting for News 5.

The exhibition officially opens tonight at 7:00.