Juror's Statement by Lillian Fitzgerald
I really enjoyed jurying the WomanMade exhibit. It was insightful for me to have a glimpse of the work women are creating, on a national level. The overall quality and the sheer volume of submissions were also impressive. My process was not to develop a specific theme but to select work that strongly resonated with me. The show feels playful and yet has an edge of melancholy or maybe discontent.

I loved the humorous twist artists gave to domestic/feminine objects. Natalia Vega-Forero’s intricately decorated dishwashing gloves, Nina Fletcher’s Burtonesk metalshoe and Kelly O’Brien’s delicately literary tutu, were among my favorites.

There were understandably a lot of quilts and fabric submissions. What appealed to me most were the works with a strong narrative, they had layers of interest beyond a beautifully crafted textile. Maureen Foster’s “Revenge Series” reminded me of Beatrix Potter gone terribly awry and Marjorie Durko Puryear’s “Caution” was a delightful mix of contemporary culture in a vintage setting.

Some of my favorite works in the exhibit were the beautifully rendered “Bacon Wreath” by Monika Malewska’s, the powerful painting “Heaviness” by Hswan-Chi Chen, and the evocative untitled photograph by Amanda Archibald.

I would like to thank Mary Cook for the opportunity to jury this exhibit.