Frances Wertimer
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Veiled Women I
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Muses
2020
Acrylic on cradled wooden panel
36 x 48"
Statement
I am a Baltimore-based artist, activist and educator. I work primarily in oil and acrylic paint, while also dabbling in 3D, 4D performance, assemblage and augmented reality (AR) design. My work addresses femininity, sensuality, desire and power from a female perspective or “Gaze”, via elements of fantasy and ritual. I use painting as a means of healing from gender-based violence and harassment. Through my work I envision realms in which femininity is free to exist beyond the Virgin/Whore binary and its violent enforcement, and does not need to conform to patriarchal expectations in order to be deemed powerful, right and just.
Ritual has long been an important part of the human psyche, and I consider artmaking to be an important personal ritual. As part of my lived experience as a woman, I often struggle with feelings of disempowerment and lack of control over significant aspects of my very being. I am not safe to walk the streets at night without fear of assault, I am not free to express my sexuality and other aspects of my humanity without judgement, whereas men with numerous sexual assault allegations are considered worthy for candidates for presidency. My opinion is often not given equal weight when compared with that of a man. I am not in control of my own reproductive care, due to sexist legislation, the dying embers of male-dominated religion, the smoking gun of late capitalism and other oft unspoken but deeply pervasive paradigms, which are so built into our culture that we consider them inherent and fail to notice them.
Yet thankfully, the ritual of creating allows me to regain a feeling of control and joy in existence so that these feelings no longer overwhelm. The act of making is an antidote to paralysis and a prayer for return of stolen power. It is a request to the universe that those who do not respect the feminine be dealt with and justice be served.
I utilize a bold, psychedelic color palette, to present fantastical narratives and characters that embody an inner journey towards liberation, existing on the spiritual plane but carrying implications in the physical. I am inspired by the new forms of intimacy that have emerged via internet and meme culture, spiritual syncretism, the natural world, ancient spiritual texts and traditions, modern pop culture, spell casting, fantasy, sisterhood, as well as personal and community history, and my work as an educator of all ages. My newest foray has been into creating video content that brings the characters and narratives from my paintings to life via the recitation of ancient texts regarding the divine feminine, creating a surreal landscape that is both visual and auditory; bringing this new layer of my process into the fourth dimension of time-based work.
Community Arts (MFA) Students