An exhibition in two-parts, this presentation 1) Then: honors the 1974 moment that galvanized the city around the importance of women artists and the feminist movement and 2) Now: showcases artists who are women, nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming and racially diverse in Philadelphia’s community of emerging artists, designers, and makers—an opportunity to reexamine the historical, feminism-focused context through a new lens.
(Re)FOCUS: Now, along with its ancillary programming, provides a platform to celebrate historically underrepresented voices and features projects by primarily Philadelphia-based artists who are exploring ideas of gender identity, representation, marginalization, social justice, violence, equality, and empowerment in their contemporary studio practices.
Participating artists include Atisha Fordyce, Wit López, Li Sumpter, Eva Wu, and a selection of work curated by Isa Isioma Matisse of The Future is Us Collective including Annais Delgado '22, De’von Downes, Laila Islam '22, Traci Johnson, Isa Isioma Matisse, D’shon Mccarthy, Amber Mooers, Forrest Rose, Gina Taylor, Zella Vanié, Alyssa Weinfurtner, Mitch Wiesen, Meg Wolensky, and Candice Wright. (Re)FOCUS: Now is organized by Moore’s gallery director Gabrielle Lavin Suzenski along with Denise M. Brown, executive director of the Leeway Foundation.
Curated by Judith K. Brodsky and Diane Burko, (Re)FOCUS: Then presents 81 works of art by women who participated in the original 1974 exhibition Philadelphia Focuses on Women in the Visual Arts: FOCUS—a citywide festival conceived by Burko to illuminate and elevate the work of female artists. As one of the first national exhibitions created exclusively for women, FOCUS featured more than 150 exhibitions, panels, lectures, films, workshops and demonstrations devoted to women's art in and around Philadelphia. The central exhibition featured 81 artists from all over the nation including Miriam Schapiro, Joyce Kozloff, Faith Ringgold, Howardena Pindell, Louise Bourgeois, Mary Beth Edelson, Lee Krasner, Nancy Grossman, Yayoi Kusama, Joan Mitchell, Alice Neel ’25, Adrian Piper, and Alma Thomas, among others.
Anchoring (Re)FOCUS: Then is a large painting by Moore alumna Alice Neel ’25 titled Claudia Bach Pregnant (1975, oil on canvas, 32 x 45 7/8 in.), on loan from PAFA for the duration of the exhibition. Neel (1900-84) was born in Merion Square, PA and attended Moore—then known as the Philadelphia School of Design for Women—from 1921-25.
Visit https://refocus2024.org/ for more information on other arts & culture organizations participating in the anniversary celebration.
Image: Wit López, Tryna Keep a Straight Face, 2021, digital quilt self-portrait, archival print edition of 50, 12 x 18 in. Courtesy of the artist.
