'Beyond Binary' explores our sense of self at Grimshaw-Gudewicz Gallery

FALL RIVER — A new exhibit at Bristol Community College's Grimshaw-Gudewicz Art Gallery asks us to connect with our sense of self.

"Beyond Binary," with works by Ren Aguiar, Demetri Bouras, Mary Dondero, Samantha Jade, Kate Korra, Madeline Leahy, Virginia Mahoney and Kate Frazer Rego, will be on display at the gallery from Thursday, Feb. 2, to Thursday, April 6.

An opening reception will be held on Thursday, Feb. 9, from 6 to 8 p.m., with a snow date of Friday, Feb. 10, at the same time.

"Beyond Binary" is an 8-person show that delves into the topics of identity and gender expression. How do we reveal elements of ourselves through our work? Doesn’t all creative expression embody aspects of our sense of self?

The artists in "Beyond Binary" visit the ways the language of color, material transformation, subject matter, social codes and expectations, and identity shape their work. Seen together their works provide a series of overlapping frameworks through which we can investigate, consider and connect with our own sense of self.

It can be a challenging process to navigate the cultural expectations placed on us, but it is important to acknowledge that we are all multifaceted individuals. And as such, there are a multitude of ways to define and express who we are. Expressions of the self may or may not explicitly include ideas of gender. We are more than our biology, but we are also encouraged by societal expectations to identify ourselves as binary, either one thing or another.

Aguiar’s multi-panel photography projects offer opportunities to explore the performative nature of gendered stereotypes.

Bouras uses digital collage and distortion to probe the many facets of his own identity.

Dondero's series "Lush Terrain" is a body of work that deals with themes of feminine pleasure and the ways in which these concepts are defined and understood.

Jade asks the viewer to consider the ways in which a sense of self changes over time.

Korra's work is centered on the theme of being part of the human family, and on the joy that comes from recognizing and celebrating this shared experience.

Leahy has written that her work is a record of her attempts to unlearn oppressive structures that perpetuate socially coded expectations.

By creating sculptural relief forms that reference the body, Mahoney is able to create work that is visually expressive and resonant.

Frazer Rego's work is focused on themes of self-exploration and the search for meaning and connection in a world that often prioritizes external and social engagement.

These artists are all exploring various themes related to identity, society, and personal experience through their work. They employ a range of media to express these ideas. Some focus on issues of gender and social expectations, while others delve into their own personal histories and emotions. Some use language and text as a way to clarify or complicate their ideas or rely on conceptual abstraction to convey an essence of the self.

Bristol Community College students and community members who are attending indoor events must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, as defined by the policy, or have a valid accommodation for COVID-19. For more information, visit https://bristolcc.edu/visitorvaccinationpolicy.

Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Friday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Admission is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit www.bristolcc.edu/gallery, or contact Director of the Grimshaw-Gudewicz Art Gallery Kathleen Hancock by email at kathleen.hancock@bristolcc.edu.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: "Beyond Binary" exhibit at Bristol CC's Grimshaw-Gudewicz Gallery