CHICAGO—Woman Made Gallery (WMG) is proud to present Down There, a group exhibition of work by 39 artists. About half of Earth’s population has vulvar anatomy. The vulva includes the distal vagina, labia majora, labia minora, urethra, mons pubis, and external clitoris. Historically relegated as shameful, dirty, or impure across cultures, bodies with vulvas and/or vaginas have been both misunderstood and understudied by scientists and doctors for centuries. Juried by Kelsey Bogdan, this exhibition seeks to lift back imposed veils of stigma and mystery, bringing to the forefront conversations around vulvar anatomy, vocabulary, diversity, emotionality, etc. The opening reception will be held on Saturday, April 13, from 4 to 7 p.m. at WMG’s new location: 1332 S. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60607.
Exhibiting Artists: Lathoriel Badenhausen, Ashley Baranczyk, Caroline Bick, Cindy C Blair, Caroline Borucki, Oona Bruss, Katie Croft, Leah Dalton, Samantha DeCarlo, Jessica Du Preez, Sarah Eckstine, Jillian Elliott, McKenzie Fitz, Anne Farley Gaines, Linda Gelfman, Amanda Gentry, Sandra Guze, Angela Hansen, Joanna Hoge, Kristy Brucale Jach, Meagan Jain, Olivia Jobbe, Erin Juliana, Alexandra Tahereh Kaucher, Anya Kotler, Anna Lipscomb, Monika Malewska, Mildred Annani Mercado, Mengjie Mo, Emmalyn Mueller, Laura O’Connor, Shari Pundrich, Rachael, Althea Rao, Kit Robbins, L Ande Smith, Maya Stoker, Dom Williams
Juror’s Statement: “After reading through hundreds of statements and sorting through just about 500 artworks, I have an entirely new respect for the jurying process. There were many amazing works that we unfortunately could not fit into the exhibition, but that doesn’t make them any less important. Thank you all for your vulnerable, critical work. It was an honor to be able to share in it with you.” —Kelsey Bogdan
About the Juror: Kelsey Bogdan is an artist, scholar, and educator from Chicago, Illinois. She completed her B.A. at Harvard University, where she studied neuroscience as well as gender and sexuality. Both fields inform her artistic practice and scholarship. Bogdan went on to pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree in 2022 from Columbia College Chicago.
Bogdan is a recipient of the Albert P. Weisman Award and the Dwight W. Follett Fellowship. Her thesis work investigated joy as a tool of resistance in reclaiming bodies, space, and time. Bogdan’s work is materially focused on adornment, vibrance, and pupil-widening wonder. Her studio practice employs immersive hanging sculpture, reflection, light, and softness to explore the interconnectedness of joy, healing, and the environment.
After years of experience as an educator in the life sciences as well as in the arts and humanities, Bogdan hopes to continue to bridge the gap between the humanities and STEM. This involves integrating neuroscience, healing, and human resistance through her scholarship. Bogdan just wrapped up her Humanities Fellowship at the Dumbarton Oaks Museum in Washington, D.C., and is currently a first-year medical student at Brown University.
A Conversation with: Kelsey Bogdan and “Down There” Artists
Welcome to A Conversation with: Kelsey Bogdan and “Down There” Artists! Join us for an exciting online event where we will dive deep into the world of art with Kelsey Bogdan, the juror of Down There, and artists from the exhibition (Sarah Eckstine, McKenzie Fitz, Joanna Hoge, and Kit Robbins). Get ready to hear about their inspirations, creative process, Kelsey’s jurying experience, and the stories behind their captivating pieces.
(Banner Image: Artwork by Caroline Bick)
Gallery Hours: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 12–5 PM CST | WMG is closed between exhibitions.
Woman Made Gallery is supported in part by grants from The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events; The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation; The Illinois Arts Council Agency; and the Arts Midwest GIG Fund, a program of Arts Midwest that is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, the Puffin Foundation, a major anonymous donor, and the generosity of its members and contributors.
