Eloquence

March 02 – May 19, 2024

About:

Artists Cai Jin and Shahzia Sikander eloquently express their unique and distinct identities, discussing their experiences and thoughts through their art. While using different mediums and methods, both artists effectively communicate their personal and social selves to their audiences.

Cai Jin, Beauty Banana 210-219, 1997, Oil paint on women’s shoes, 5 1/2” x 10” x 3 ¼”, University Purchase, Samek Art Museum Collection, 2007.10.6

Related Events:

Art Printing Workshop
March 16, 2024, 1PM – 4PM
Art Barn Dr, East Buffalo Township, PA 17837
This workshop is full.
There is limited space registration required

Unleash your creativity in art printmaking! The Samek Art Museum is collaborating with the Art Barn to present an easy carve printing workshop. Join us on March 16 and craft a unique print that truly reflects you!

Curatorial Text:

Eloquence
[e-lə-kwən(t)s] noun
Ability to beautifully express oneself [through art]. (Berlitz, Karolina Assi, 2022)
Curated by the Samek Art Museum Fellow – Eun-Ji Jamie Jun

Shahzia Sikander
Shahzia Sikander (b. 1969) is a Pakistani-American artist who masterfully weaves contemporary themes from South Asian, American, feminist, and Muslim traditions into her art. After 9/11, she initiated the No Parking Anytime project, blending traditional Muslim and Hindu art styles into nine prints. These prints progress from themes of violence and restraint to symbolizing freedom with the depiction of strong wings. Sikander vividly incorporates her cultural identity as a Pakistani, representing her heritage to an American society profoundly impacted by the tragic events of 2001. Her work encourages the audience to pause, observe, and reflect on its open-ended narrative.

Cai Jin
Cai Jin (b. 1965) is a leading contemporary artist in China whose work delves into the intersection of gender, culture, and personal experiences. Her Beauty Banana Plant series embodies Chinese female aesthetics, with second-hand women’s shoes reinforcing her feminist perspective and connection to female sexuality. High heels symbolize modern Chinese feminine beauty and lifestyle, contrasting with lǚ, traditional Chinese flat shoes. Crimson oil paint dominates her palette, eloquently conveying sensations of sexual arousal and menstruation, reflecting the excitement she associates with the color. This further underscores her unconventional approach to portraying feminine beauty in Chinese society.