“BOOBs” Art Exhibit opens October 26, 2017 with an artists’ reception from 5:30-8:30pm.
This event is free and open to the public. The exhibit runs through the
annual Bridgeport Art trail and closes December 2, 2017.
Gallery Hours W-F 11:30 -5pm Thurs open ’til 7, Sat 12-4 pm. ww.citylightsgallery.org
ARTISTS’ RECEPTION THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2017, 5:30-8:30pm
ABOUT BOOBs
A provocative exhibit depicts personal stories of breast cancer patients,
their caregivers and healthcare providers along with statements about the socio-economic
conditions regarding treatment, healthcare, appearance, gender, age and race.
Exhibiting artists include: Faith Baum and Lori Petcher, Robin Jopp, Karen Kalkstein, kHyal™, Iyaba Ibo Mandingo, Sooo-z Mastropietro, Tori Marsh, Lee Walther, Jahmane West and Francesca Winfield. Under the direction of Gaye Hyre of ArtBra New Haven local participants shared their time and creativity to make artful bra constructions on view, to support breast cancer patients. Help us hold an ArtBra Party, to raise funds for medical costs for breast cancer patients. Contact us at: clgallerybpt@gmail.com, 203.334.7748. See more about ArtBra below. Art-left: Tory Marsh
Featured art:
Sooo-z Mastropietro presents a new work called BOOB-
Tube, (see deatil) created specifically for this exhibit. Also on view is her tryptich called “Hue-ation” depicting the rapid mutation of the Hela cells taken from the cancerous biopsy of Henrietta Lacks. Mastropietro is an accomplished artist and musician. She also trained and worked as a surgical technician. She melds this knowledge and her insight as a woman and mother- (who breast-fed her children) with a whimsical art material of thick fiber tubes creating intriguing works in a soft, material that comforts while encouraging the viewer to consider the serious condition of cancer.
kHyal™ A/K/A MEGAGLAM: “Apparel as art” is how the artist, writer, designer, marketing executive and entrepreneur describes her “MegaGlam Breast Augmentation Trench” which debuted at the 2016 edition of Art Basel Miami.
Lori Petcher and Faith Baum have complied a series of photographs called The OLD BAGS project. Brave women “of a certain age,” pose in their bra and skivvies with shopping bags over their heads. Images starkly express the sense of vulnerability and loss caused by the lack of recognition, decline of ‘sex appeal’ and a sense of anonymity via ostracism. The ’portraits’ present empowering images of hope by publicly exposing the feminine aging body for what is and becomes, breaking the prototype for the standard of feminine beauty and fashion.
Gaye Hyre is Executive Director of ArtBra New Haven, a community of breast cancer survivors, their supporters, and fine artists of the greater New Haven region. We collaborate to provide a creative emotional outlet for all survivors, and direct financial support for prescribed medical treatment for under and uninsured patients. Participants create both wearable and non-wearable art which is auctioned at our annual live runway event, modeled by survivors and supporters.
Gaye and ArtBra participants will mount an outdoor installation for the weekend of the
Bridgeport Art Trail, November 9-12
ArtBra Installation: The 7 Stages of Woman, and Laundry Day, on the Golden Hill St Steps.
Shakespeare speaks of “The Seven Ages of Man”, from infant to youth, to maturity,
through to old age. ArtBra New Haven and City Lights present “The Seven Ages of
Woman” as seen through an interpretation of undergarments. From infancy in a ‘onesie’
and our first training bra, to blossoming youth and defining ourselves through our sense of
sexuality, to nursing bras, warrior queens, maturity, the dreaded possibility of needing a
mastectomy bra, to larger and more supportive garments in our later years, the Laundry
Line of Life displays it all.
Join us at City Lights and the Golden Hill St steps to pin your art bra contribution on the line, or pin up a message of support, hope, honor, resilience, strength, and/or remembrance. Cloth and markers for writing massages, and clothes pins for hanging them will be available. Donations to the medical fund gratefully accepted.
Gaye Hyre says, “We’re all in this together, so don’t worry about airing your laundry in public. ArtBras will be on view at locations throughout the art trail.”.”
PANEL DISCUSSION DURING THE BPT ART TRAIL, SUNDAY NOV. 12, 2017
Event: Abreast of the Conversation: BOOBs, Art Intersects with Medicine and Healthcare Sunday, November 12; 4:30 pm Presented by guest artists Sooo-z Mastropietro and kHyal and Dr. Camelia Lawrence, fellowship trained breast surgeon at St Vincent’s Breast Health Center. A $20 admission fee for this mini-Bridgeport Art Trail fundraiser includes wine and the usual small bites. If this is your first time to a City Lights reception, you will be pleasantly surprised by provocative art, good food and drink, and stimulating conversation. Meet guest speakers at a 4:30pm, presentation starts at 5 pm.
Sooo-z will discuss her artwork which explores sociological observations of the breast through anatomical structure. Her perspectives range from motherhood and breastfeeding to surgical technologist, working on breast reconstruction and mastectomy.
Dr. Camelia Lawrence will discuss her personal experience in treating women with breast cancer, why early detection is important, the impact of socioeconomic barriers, and how knowledge about the disease translates into empowerment and vigilance. City Lights/Bridgeport Art Trail thanks Dr. Lawrence for recently joining the City Lights & Company board of directors.
kHyal™ A/K/A MEGAGLAM — an artist, writer, designer, marketing executive and entrepreneur — will discuss the implications of appearance; living in a female body; and the transformative power and therapeutic value of art and design.