Christina’s work makes a powerful feminist statement. She takes on the artist gaze–the interpretation of the female body that has historically belonged to the realm of male painters.
Her women are strong, and look directly at you, the viewer. You do not want to miss seeing this exhibition of large paintings. You will be inspired. You will be a little intimidated, maybe a little scared, maybe a little uncomfortable– and that is a good thing. Powerful art makes us question ourselves and our way of thinking. It can bring about change.
Christina says:
“My newest work for the show “Gaze” focuses on portraits of women and tackles ideas surrounding image and representation. Often the way we are seen does not match the way we see ourselves. I’m interested in the power-play that can happen between the viewed and the viewer. The “gaze” itself is a loaded term that carries with it power and implications of gender. The “gaze” assumes males eyes on a female subject. Any art history book will show of a long tradition of women being painted from a male gaze, often objectifying or eroticizing the female form. It’s saturated with famous male artists with big names painting nameless female bodies. But can this change if the gaze is from one woman onto another? Can more attention be spent on depicting women as more complex and multidimensional than just a beautiful face or body on a canvas? Can depicting the subject gazing back out reverse the common relationship between the viewer and the viewed thus empowering the subject?”
Christina has lived in Grenada for the past two years with her husband who has been a medical student at St. George’s University. A graduate of the prestigious Chicago Art Institute, she has volunteered to work in the children’s homes, participated in art camps, and generally helped at every opportunity. The culmination of her time in Grenada is this great body of work.
Susan Mains Gallery 
