When Women Were Girls & The Living Room

Lissa Karpeh - When Women Were Girls
West Gallery
 

Lissa Karpeh’s exhibition, When Women Were Girls, features portraits of Liberian women, from girlhood to adulthood, through the personas they take on as members of the diaspora in Minnesota. Liberians make up the second largest population of Africans in the state, and Karpeh’s work reflects on the impacts of war, western perceptions of the Black identity, and gender. The artist explains: “this exhibition is part of a more extensive series of works unraveling Liberia’s identity through abstractions and figurations that speak on moments of belonging and double consciousness.” The artist continues, describing the identities of the portraits: “This show features Liberian women in my community, family members of friends, and from my childhood. The colors within each piece further highlight the subjectivity of Liberian women in their prime, fullness, and what Liberians like to call the ‘Big Jue’ season. The paintings in this exhibition invite the viewer to imagine themselves as children again with all their flaws, convictions, and history.” Lissa Karpeh will give an in-person artist talk on Wednesday, April 26 at 6:30pm.

The Living Room - 2023 Student Creative Showcase
Artists: Mathis J. Edwards, Callie Korzeniowski, Maya O’Reilly, Dee Taropurua, Theo von Weiss

St. Catherine University’s annual exhibition of student artwork is featured in The Living Room. The artist scholars describe their work: “[This exhibition] showcases each artist's journey of their time at St. Kate’s. The artwork on view includes themes of family, emotions, identity, and connections. The exhibition title reflects a desire for the artwork to be shared in an inviting and comfortable environment. A living room is a space for conversations, playfulness, and rest. Come in and stay awhile.” The artists will give an in-person artist talk about their work on Thursday, May 4, noon-1pm.

Image: Lissa Karpeh, Big Jue, School, 2023, acrylic, oil and glitter on unstretched canvas