FEMM (Feminine Expression Minus Misogyny)

As womxn, from the time we are brought into this universe, we are taught how we should exist to best accommodate the patriarchy of misogynistic mediocrity. We experience daily reinforcements of the things “Thou Shall Not” do. There is a stigmatization on how we should act, how we should look, our roles in society, even what is appropriate for us sexually.

Womxn should not be taught to inhibit or be censured for all the things that should be equal or pleasurable to us. Instead we should be unleashing the freedom that is unbinding within us.

We are paid less for the same work and regularly have our ideas co-opted by male colleagues. If we menstruate, we are expected to pretend that we don’t. If we don’t menstruate, we are treated as lesser-than. We are pressured to reproduce, when it’s convenient for others, and then work as though we don’t have a family.

Then there is the topic of body image, self love and exploration. From a young age, we are taught that our bodies are a dangerous sexual distraction to men. We are not taught to see our bodies as our temple and more specifically how to explore ourselves for pleasure. Instead of being celebrated, we are censured to believe our flower as taboo.

This is just the surface of so many other layers.

A womxn’s struggle to be heard has the ability to be expressed through art globally. A way to rewire long standing perspectives on sociocultural and expectations by creating a new visual dialogue about the experience of womxn. Artistic impacts of the art world historically have been disenfranchising womxn.

For this show, the artists were encouraged to think FEMM first (Feminine Expression Minus Masculinity). Pieces created when womxn:

Fully embrace our own ideas on bodily autonomy, reproductive justice, gender expression and sexual pleasure.
Put ourselves first instead of living in subservience to make everyone else comfortable.
Celebrate our superior ability to have a professional career while also holding together our homes, families, and communities.

This exhibit is a celebration of womxn for their resilience, strength, beauty and ability to live vividly with an unapologetic lens.

With support to all the amazing womxn - Jennifer Ahn\

ARTIST ROSTER:
Addi Miyako / Alyssarhaye Graciano / Annie Lu / Asha Sudra / Bernie Gasga / Christina Xu / Cindy Duong / Genevieve Santos / Jacqueline de Leon / Jennifer H. Ahn / Jennifer Gonzalez / Jenny Wagner / Jessica Eastburn / Jessica Gutierrez / Kaylin Aiko Mitsumori / Kristina Micotti / Lacey Bryant / Lan Nguyễn / Lisa Sisneroz / Melissa Manuel / Molly Kitamura / Nancy Ahn / Pilar Agüero-Esparza / Roan Victor / Ruthie K. Yamada / Sonam Dhanjal

Sonam Dhanjal - “Seek Pleasure” - SOLD

Cindy Duong - “We’ve Heard Enough” - N/A

Ruthie K. Yamada - “She’s Not Fragile Like A Flower, She’s Fragile Like A Bomb” - N/A

Ruthie K. Yamada - “She’s Not Fragile Like A Flower, She’s Fragile Like A Bomb” (side) - N/A

Jennifer H. Ahn - “Thou Shall Be Eaten” - $400

Jenny Wagner - “God Bless This Pussy And All Who Enter Here” - SOLD

Alyssarhaye Graciano - “Woman Without Shame” - N/A

Genevieve Santos - “Heartful” - SOLD

Genevieve Santos - “Heartful” (side) - SOLD

Nancy Ahn - “Unearthed” - SOLD

Nancy Ahn - “Unearthed” (side) - SOLD

Christina Xu - “Creation” - N/A

Melissa Manuel - “Mainstream Magnet” - $200

Molly Kitamura - “Untitled” - SOLD

Lacey Bryant - “The Citizens of Herland and Their Superior Cats” - $400

Jessica Eastburn - “Heat Wave” - $375

Pilar Agüero-Esparza - “lace/her” - $1,000

Pilar Agüero-Esparza - “lace/her” - side

Jennifer Gonzalez - “F#@K Your Expectations” - $700

Asha Sudra - “Woven Diaspora” - $500

Lisa Sisneroz - "Glowing Memories" - $80

Lisa Sisneroz - "Glowing Memories" (side)

Jacqueline de Leon - “In The Flowers” - $500

Annie Lu - “Words I Tell Myself” - $240

Addi Miyako - “Midnight Hunt” - $300

Addi Miyako - “Dreamwalker” - SOLD

Jessica Gutierrez - “This Is FEMM” - $100

Kaylin Aiko Mitsumori - “Fxck Yo Box” - $150

Roan Victor - “Showy Penstemon” - $200

Kristina Micotti - “BUFF BABE” - $300

Lan Nguyễn - “The Boat of Heaven” - SOLD

Bernie Gasga - “V-Shades” - $200

ARTIST ROSTER:
Addi Miyako / Alyssarhaye Graciano / Annie Lu / Asha Sudra / Bernie Gasga / Christina Xu / Cindy Duong / Genevieve Santos / Jacqueline de Leon / Jennifer H. Ahn / Jennifer Gonzalez / Jenny Wagner / Jessica Eastburn / Jessica Gutierrez / Kaylin Aiko Mitsumori / Kristina Micotti / Lacey Bryant / Lan Nguyen / Lisa Sisneroz / Melissa Manuel / Molly Kitamura / Nancy Ahn / Pilar Aguero Esparza / Roan Victor / Ruthie Yamada / Sonam Dhanjal

A special “thank you” to Stacey Kellogg co-narrator this important dialogue and Juan Carlos Araujo (co-founder of E7S who fully supports the womxn movement)

ART ON VIEW: July 8 - August 5, 2023

If you are interested in purchasing artwork, please contact us at info@empiresevenstudios.com.