An Artist’s Perspective on Intimacy

Art Matters Explores Our Relation with Intimacy in a Digital World

Fringe ArtsLisa Revil — Published March 20, 2015

Curated by feminist artist Luna Dykstra-Santos, eight women and one man are exploring the meaning of intimacy in today’s world in Intimacy: Limits and Consequences.

The exhibition is presented at the Yellow Art gallery as part of this year’s edition of Concordia’s annual Art Matters Festival.

Present at the opening, Luna Dykstra-Santos has also been involved in feminist art collective The Coven based in Montreal.

Participating for the first time in the Arts Matters festival, Dykstra-Santos had a lot to say. She confessed that she had chosen every artist in the room by gut feeling. If at first, her intent was set on doing a show with more political resonance, after having seen the works of the artists, she turned to the idea of a more human-centered exhibition.

“With the expo, I want to speak about all the different ways intimacy can be seen, especially with technology, with sex, with religion. And also, how close you can become to someone and the consequences of it,” said Dykstra-Santos.

Every piece is constructed from a point of view or seeks to illustrate aspects of this idea.

Shawn Christopher — “Cochon”

The most significant and eye-catching work is perhaps the sculpture of Shawn Christopher which represents a pig surrendering to penises and pig-headed penises.
Aiming to trigger strong reactions from the public, this provocative piece “shows the experience of being a gay man in a community where the fear of AIDS is very present,” said the curator.

Zahraa Sbaiti — “Dolls Veiled Blythe”

Another striking piece exhibited in the gallery is a painting by Zahraa Sbaiti representing small veiled dolls.
“They have dolls for everyone. In a way your dolls affect the way you see yourself, so by veiling these dolls, there is a reflexion creating an intimacy that maybe the world hasn’t created but that you have created for yourself,” said Dykstra-Santos.

Fannie Gadouas – “Heritage: A Work in Progress”

Finally, the work of Fannie Gadouas displays three separate pieces which include a picture of a beautiful communion dress; next to it, the dress is represented in shreds and lastly, a video explaining what happened between the two stages of the dress.
This dress was made by the mother and grandmother of Gadouas and destroying it is a strong and symbolic art gesture. By tearing apart this homemade dress, the artist distances herself from family tradition and religion. In order to make a stronger statement, she uses the audience as witness for this act.