Description
ARTIST STATEMENT
My work is a representation of my inner psyche as I navigate what it means to be a woman. My day-to-day experiences are colored with systemic sexism and stereotypes while negotiating the power struggle of gender norms. The challenge is knowing when to call out these injustices or face being labeled emotional. My work gives a voice to these feelings and calls to all those who’ve struggled, been made to feel lesser because of their gender, or have been held back by an unseen force.
Anxiety fuels much of my art making. There’s a manic, compulsory element that shows up in my work. The process of creation helps heal these painful situations, to personify a feeling when emotionally heightened. The soft, round, undulating shapes of the tapestry embody a comforting safe. Offering a soothing tactile experience. The juxtaposition of these experiences demonstrates the many facets of mental health. These works bring awareness to our feelings of hopelessness when faced oppression, anxiety & sexism.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Renee Kuharchuk is a painter and teacher living and working in the Chicagoland area. Her work captures close-up portraiture that experiments with dynamic brushwork and abstract colors. Through painting the human form, she explores themes of feminism and the human experience. As a woman battling anxiety, her practice not only brings these issues to light, but creates a space for self-healing and, on a broader scope, awareness of our inner battles.
Kuharchuk works with the local non profit – IHSAE, the Illinois High School Art Exhibition, as their assistant gallery director, whose goal is to amplify student work through exhibitions in Chicago and work to advocate for creativity through art recruitment.
Kuharchuk’s work has been recently on display at the Salem Art Gallery in Massachusetts. Her solo show “Transcending Insecurities” will be on display in the fall at Marimom Gallery in Aurora.
© Renee Kuharchuk