why showcase women's and gender-nonconforming individuals' work exclusively? does that not perpetuate the injustices of gender-binary structures and ideologies?
despite some progress in past years, gender bias and representational disparities are still largely prevalent in the 'art world.' women and gender-nonconforming artists continue to be greatly underrepresented in exhibitions, publications, directorial positions, and auctions...
...and I have unapologetically been asked if maybe it is because we are not creating enough work of quality.
spectrum is my response to that rotten and predictable question. it is but a small example of the quantity, quality, and diversity that exists within these generalized and often-pigeonholed groups, an example that aims to englighten audiences who are unaware that variety and skill are not dictated by gender but by individual experiences, interests, and talents.
through its multiple outlets spectrum aims to:
1. create a platform that, in contrast to galleries such as MoMA, the national gallery of art, and the centre pompidou, does not systematically exclude gender-nonconforming and female-identifying individuals
2. invite artists, writers, and thinkers to share their experiences, observations, and thoughts on gender discrimination and progress toward equality
3. showcase the diversity, or 'variety of expression,' present in the work created by female-identifying and gender-nonconforming individuals
4. emphasize this existing diversity to bend and break misconceptions or expectations of work by gender-nonconforming individuals and women as aesthetically or conceptually homogenous
5. focus on these variations in style, content, technique, etc. to encouarge future engagement with women's and gender-nonconforming individuals' work outside of isolated spaces
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agustina bonaventura
editor