Xx Chromosome
Curated by Tuesday Schmidt
Tuesday Schmidt
Xx Chomosome highlights the female artist. Originally, this show developed as a means to introduce women artists who were unpracticed in gallery showings to more seasoned artists in the community. Through the process of preparing work and then exhibiting together, it is encouraged that each woman will consider her significance in this art community—what sets her work and style apart, and what she can communicate and give, what she can apply to her own growth and thus attain. As this show has no feminist intentions, the main goal is to offer insight of each artist’s personal influences and inspirations while also advocating a forum for women to network, sharing with each other and the local art community, their experiences.
— Tuesday Schmidt
Too often, it seems that group art shows in galleries are unimpressive. Collections of several artists’ works in small spaces often seem disjointed, cramped, and disorientating. Unless, that is, the skilled curator is deft in creating a balanced presentation that supports a thematic element. There are exciting exceptions. The April 2009 Xx Chromosome Show at The Late Show gallery, curated by Tuesday Schmidt was one of these exceptions in showcasing the talents of Catherine Armbrust, Maura Cluthe, Tiffany Matson, Ali Moline, Ellie Kort, Rachel Kort, Emily Louise Lodigensky, Tuesday Schmidt, and Faye Woods.
Surprisingly, after such a skillfully executed art show, Tuesday Schmidt doesn’t consider herself a curator. In fact, she downplays the idea of “curator” and insists there was no thematic element upon which she executed an artful presentation of art. Schmidt says, “I knew I wanted the variation of all the mediums and I knew what the work was like, but I didn’t know exactly how it would turn out.” Instead of speaking about her curatorial talent, she speaks about herself as an artist who wanted to support other artists and is personally motivated by the momentum created in showing one’s work.
Schmidt explained that regularly showing her own work has inspired her and keeps her producing. Her first show at Blue Koi spiraled into commitments for several other shows and in that first year she frenetically and successfully created new work for all of them. For her, the first success at Blue Koi bred a confidence and capacity for other successes in the art world.
Other artists, wanting the same for themselves began to ask Tuesday “zillions of questions.” Wanting to help her friends, but weary of answering repeated questions about arranging pricing, contacts, hanging, asking, etc., Schmidt said, “I am sick of questions. Let’s just DO it!”
That’s how the Xx Chromosome show began. Schmidt says, “I really love the aspect of networking and helping other artists do what I love to do. It bothers me when I have very talented friends who have lots of work but don’t show it. Although I know how it is to be an artist and drag your feet forever, there comes a time when you just have to do it. It is the encouragement and support of that first show that inspires you and keeps the momentum going.”
Although the inspiration was first-time art show participants, many of the artists were veterans.There was no thematic consideration, and it was never intended to be a woman-only art show. Schmidt says, “It was by no means a feminist thing; it was more about looking at artists who had influenced me. I had seen all the artists' work but I didn’t want to give them a subject. I didn’t want it to be a show about women. (In fact, the name of the art show, Xx Chromosome drives me crazy.) I wanted to let them do their own thing, in hopes that they would reach out to one another.”
The show run was too short—less than three weeks. Thank you to Tuesday Schmidt and the participating artists who shared images and artist statements from the show with PresentMagazine.com and its readers.
Tuesday Schmidt
Tuesday Schmidt
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