“Muro” (hand-embroidered breasts. site-specific installation), by Raquel Paiewonsky, in her show “InsideOut,’’ at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth Art Gallery (in New Bedford) through Oct. 28.
The gallery says:
“As an artist, Raquel Paiewonsky is both bold and subtle. She wraps the edges of heavy bricks in patterned fabric, softening the impact of the wall, perceived as a ‘male’ element. Connections, community, softness, all seen as female attributes are a part of her work, while the ‘Muro’ tells a story about gender imbalance within society or within ourselves. This soft sculpture/installation, which has its own space at the University Art Gallery, consists of 2,000 hand-embroidered breasts of different skin tones. It is the super-mother of all mothers, the feminine wit, a critical commentary towards a society that she describes as driven by economic need and greed. Raquel is also questioning stereotypes and expectations in her photography. Her images are surprising, imaginative, personal, playful, as well as thoughtful. A tall dress made out of cleaning rags monumentalizes the woman, the cleaner, so often overlooked. Her video ‘Isopolis ‘ invites viewers for an unexpected journey to sand dunes and a beach, following a group of performers telling a story of inclusion and conventions, full of symbolism without words.
Even though Paiewonsky draws from her experience as an artist in the Dominican Republic, her message rings loud and clear to a perceptive visitor of any origin, race, or gender. We invite you to immerse yourself in the magic world of ‘InsideOut’ — to experience, to question, to feel Paiewonsky’s (and now also your) imaginary world. “
