“I feel very honored to portray the life of a female artist whose work has been variously deemed ‘subhuman,’ ‘mutant,’ and ‘obsessive.’ It’s not often that, as a female-identifying artist, one gets to create/be a part of work that directly calls attention to the biases with which her, and her art, may be viewed. That act of voicing and calling attention to said biases is thrilling and terrifying in equal measure.”
—Olivia Rose Barresi (Mainie Jellett) in a note to FLOMM
“In the wake of World War I, Mainie Jellett and Evie Hone meet in art school when Evie interrupts Mainie’s attempt to drink a jar of paint thinner. Over a bottle of brandy, the two get to know one another as artists and as women who are struggling to make art in a field dominated by men. A story of female sexuality, trauma, and the demands of artistic ideals, Female Nude Seated shows two young women at a personal crossroads in a time of extraordinary change. They might be able to save one another, however, as they decide to take control of their freedom while shattering the status quo in 1917 London.”
—counterclaim productions
Mainie Jellett first arrived on my radar with Julija Svetlova’s discussion with Paul Rouhan on the most recent episode of RADíO FLoMM.
And it’s thru kismet that Jellett is floating in the creative minds of others right now – this week, Julija drew our attention to a play happening tomorrow night that’s only as far away as your screen:
NYC-based counterclaim productions presents
an online reading of Carolyn Gage’s latest one-act play
Female Nude Seated
Saturday 16 May 2020
7:30pm eastern/4:30 pacific
Directed by Emma Rosa Went
assisted by Harrison Densmore and assistant producer/dramaturg Abbey Joan Burgess
starring
Olivia Rose Barresi and Morgaine Gooding-Silverwood
plus
talkback afterwards with Carolyn Gage and all collaborators, moderated by Hillary E. Miller
CLICK HERE for the Zoom link/registration
OFFICIAL PROGRAM
FACEBOOK INVITE
COUNTERCLAIM WEBSITE
Wats this all about? A LOT of history happened in 1917! Here’s the playwright’s own intro:
“I’m very humbled to bring Mainie Jellett and Evie Hone to the public consciousness in this way, and at this moment – and also as a part of a brilliant artistic team of individuals who identify themselves across multitudinous gender and sexual identities. I hope I can do this team, this play, and Mainie Jellett justice.”
—Olivia Rose Barresi (Mainie Jellett)
AND (because you asked) (It was you, right?) RADíO FLoMM will return soon.
We have the latest episode in the can – it just needs to be taken OUT of the receptacle we threw it in and edited.
—steve mehallo
Flommist Steve Mehallo is a graphic designer, illustrator, font designer, educator, foodie and gadfly. He is the creator and founder of FLOMM! Pictured: Works by Mainie Jellett.
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