News Release

WOMEN ARTISTS EXPLORE THEIR OWN KIND OF SPACE AT BEN SHAHN GALLERIES EXHIBIT "A Woman's Space Is," an exhibition of paintings and sculpture that explores visual spaces created by women, will be on view from March 20 through April 21 in the Ben Shahn Galleries at William Paterson University in Wayne. An opening reception for the exhibit will be held on Sunday, March 19 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the galleries. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. "I wanted to explore where women artists felt their space was as women artists," said Maureen Riley, curator of the exhibit. Eleven female artists participated in the show, which includes paintings, photography, sculpture, and computer artwork. The National Association of Women Artists served as a primary resource for the exhibit. "Each artist represents a different kind of space," says Nancy Einreinhofer, director of Ben Shahn Galleries. Exploring the theme of "space," the works represent ideas that range from sociological and psychological space to the virtual space of digital art. Bette Alexander, a New York City artist, dedicated her sculpture "Earth Angels" to the women and children in the crowded homeless shelters she has worked with during the past decade. "The care and love toward their children, the desire for them to learn, and their positive attitudes under adverse circumstances, touched me deeply," said Alexander. In their honor, she created "almost life-size works made of mud, burlap and paint -- mysterious presences that recall hardships in life and their connections to the earth." In an installation titled "A Meditative Scenery," artist Ayano Ohmi of New York City worked in bamboo, rattan, clay and twine to construct a group of totemic figures that explore the symbols of Brazil, West Africa and Japan cultures. She describes it as an installation of "closed limits ­ an interior space, or of open limits ­ an out-terior space" because it changes its relationship to viewer and site via a flexible frame of calligraphic movements and narrative evocations. "A woman's space is sacred," said Betty Guernsey of Irvington. "It is a sanctuary where she is free to explore her inner being, expand her capabilities, be herself. And when a woman is an artist, it is her studio." Guernsey explores the idea of "an artist's space" with photographs of the spacious Brownstown studio she worked in for several years. Maureen Riley is head of library information systems at William Paterson. She holds a bachelor's degree in art from William Paterson as well as a bachelor's degree from Tulane University and master's degrees from the University of Massachusetts and Rutgers University, New Brunswick. She is a resident of Montclair. Also on view in the Ben Shahn Galleries from March 20 through April 21 are "John B. Tracey" and "Kathrin Hilten." For additional information, please call the Ben Shahn Galleries at 973-720-2654. ### Release date: March 13 2000 For Further Information, contact: Mary Beth Zeman, Director Office of Public Information 973-720-2966 Terry Ross, Newswriter 973-720-2505 Back to News Releases