← BACK TO ARTISTS In collaboration with Sophia Wang and Emily Massey
ARTIST STATEMENT:
“I walk down the street and a man yells over my music to ask for my number. I change subway cars because a man is taking pictures of me. A man drunkenly lunges at me and my friend and we scurry away down the street, searching for streetlights. And all the while, I wonder: didn’t Athena give Medusa a gift? The mythology of Medusa is situated in ancient Greek lore as a great male triumph: clever Perseus cutting off the head of the hideous gorgon who could turn men to stone with a look. But, to me, Medusa herself has always been the more compelling and empowering figure. Just once, I, too, would like to be seen as threatening, or even just unapproachable. The male gaze had no effect in the wake of Medusa’s monstrous gaze; the hubris of male intruders reflected back on them as they were turned to stone. This project was cathartic for me, a tongue-and-cheek representation of the armor I wish I could put on to resist male attention. The irony is that the piece itself is not very threatening; my propensity towards bright colors and goofy faces won out over the darker themes I wanted to suggest. I wanted it to represent my personality and values, not compromising my love for finding joy and humor in my art. The piece’s pop art qualities sit in conversation, or perhaps in contrast, with my desire to be the kind of person that gets to be left alone.”
BIO:
Thea Hurwitz is a junior at Gallatin concentrating on art and its impact on individuals and communities. She is from Arlington, Virginia, and grew up exploring D.C. and its art scene. Thea likes to work with painting, printmaking, and embroidery/beadwork, and gravitates towards art with a lot of color and texture. In her free time, Thea likes to go thrift shopping, play ultimate frisbee, and rewatch Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She also considers herself lucky to work with such fantastic creative collaborators.
Sophia Wang:
Sophia Wang is a New York based filmmaker from Toronto. Her work has been featured in the Toronto International Film Festival, Asian International Film Festival and most recently the winner of the Sundance Co//ab Challenge. She is currently studying Film and TV Production at Tisch School of the Arts and spends her free time playing ultimate frisbee on NYU’s club team. Her films often feature themes of self-exploration through athletics, dance, and movement.
Emily Massey:
Emily is a sophomore at New York University studying for a BFA in Collaborative Arts with a concentration in film, as well as having an extensive dance background. She has experience in contemporary dance and ballet.
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