Political and socially conscious art has a long and rich tradition both in America and the rest of the world. Artists like Francisco Goya, Ben Shahn, Diego Rivera, Kathe Kollwitz, Dorothea Lange and hundreds of other male and female artists through the centuries have used the powerful medium of art to express their critical visions of society, and present an alternative view on what is and what should be. Although historically marginalized, women artists have a central place in the history of socially conscious art. They have always expressed their sympathetic visions of the marginalized and oppressed “others,” and voiced their discontent with the political and social injustices around them, including the lack of equal opportunity and choice for both women and men. The women artists presented in “Transitions” make a powerful contribution to the tradition of socially conscious art in America by boldly expressing their critical visions on female body image. Every artist shapes her own discontent with the predominant standard of the ideal woman’s body and her personal rebellion against it. Although the visual media differ, the collection of artwork as a whole raises the important question of who really defines the woman’s identity in America today?

The media, corporate advertising, Hollywood all shape so much of our vision of the world, including our notion of body and identity. Why is a woman supposed to be a size six, beautiful, wrinkle-free in order to feel good, in order to be a “success?” Is there something wrong with her, or with the looking glass she is presented each day? Why does there seem to be an obsession with breasts in the media and what are the implications of this? How can women meet the unrealistic standards of appearance, and what happens when illness dramatically alters a woman’s body and her perception of it? Is it not time for women to deny their objectification in society and become subjects valuable it their own right? These are the questions that all of “Transitions” artists raise and it is our goal to engage and challenge the audience to critically search for their own answers by themselves. Where do you personally stand?

“Transitions” also deals with the act of healing—healing of body hate, healing of cancer, healing of prejudice, becoming whole. Four of the six artists presented here have dealt, or are still dealing with, breast cancer. Every one of them shares a vision of her own experience, of her own feelings, yet all do so to communicate to us that breast cancer is not only a statistical reference, but very much a personal reality. Breast cancer is an epidemic in our times, and behind every one in eight women contracting the disease there is a face that some day might be yours…. It is hard to look at the images without experiencing the feelings of every one of the artists ourselves. And whether we can relate to the experience or not, we partake in a mutual catharsis with the artists. Their bold claim of strength, against the background of body violation, somehow makes us feel stronger as individuals ourselves. We are not simply observers, but also participants in the process of healing, we become a part of the community, and none of us are alone in facing the challenges of body image. We are given an opportunity to look and see with our true eyes what is beneath the surface of our skin, and to embrace what we see.

The American writer Anais Nin said once “we don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.” Experience the artwork, reflect, be critical, be honest, and answer for yourself.

What do YOU see?