In Fabricated Spaces: Midwest Identities
Cassidy Coalson
Opening Reception
First Friday July 5th
7:00 - 10:00 PM
BFF Gallery
5901 Maple St.
From the artist:
Growing up in the midwest, there has always been this disconnect from the human experience. With the combination of geographic seclusion, harsh elements and conservative views, the exploration of identity and self has disappeared from the community. Men and women are pushed toward more “traditional roles”, and outliers who step out of line have molded outwardly to fit expectations. This has caused the human experience to adapt out of necessity to take place in more subtle, intimate, and secretive ways–within our homes. Through this paradigm shift, the witnesses have been the spaces themselves and the objects within.
The works encompass the push and pull of conservative influences that have plagued the outliers of the midwest. The paintings are on both conventional canvases and repurposed unconventional surfaces/planes found in domestic spaces. I pull from muses and stories of real midwestern citizens– reaching into the community to share the stories of repressed identities and personhoods.The pieces themselves serve as vessels for these muses to explore the complexities of identity. The unconventional surfaces like found fabrics and domestic items are used to give a sense of intimacy, familiarity, and nostalgia, playing on our concept of “home”. They also serve as a geographical marker, as if the muses have been plucked out of their own spaces and put on display.
One crucial aspect of my pieces is the areas of “unfinished business”. This style I developed with two intentions in mind. The first part is an intentional mark of the artist, inviting the viewer to get a glimpse into the studio and the process. The second, however, is the most vital. With my secluded upbringing, my works became a movement in opposition to social ignorance. Perspective is used as a tool forming and evolving, fighting against underlying biases.
My work’s original intent was to create empathy within our community and to celebrate these stories; it was not with the intention of being ardently political. Politics have kicked down the door and breached our homes, launching a continual assault on women’s and lgbtq+ rights. These works now serve as a documentation of their personhood to fight the oppression.
About the artist:
Originally from rural western Nebraska, Cassidy attended Hastings College, graduating in 2023 with a bachelor's degree in Studio Art.
Her artistic exploration first focused on the multifaceted aspects of womanhood, exploring themes of maternal figures, inherited roles, femininity, and sexuality through the lens of Greco-Roman mythology. Her senior thesis group show, titled "Hystera," stands as a notable highlight, focusing on the evolving narrative of the female condition.
In the summer of 2023, Cassidy relocated to Omaha, where she interned at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts. It was there that she encountered Minga Opazo, an artist whose work inspired Cassidy to integrate textiles and sculpture into her own practice. This experience led her to reanalyze her unique perspective as a rural Americana artist.
Cassidy attributes several inspirations to her work. Deeply influenced by Italian Baroque painters, her work is often experimenting with light and narratives. Her expressive use of color and brushstroke are an active devotion to the Fauvism and German Expressionism movements. Her historic icons include female artists such as Marlene Dumas, Hannah Rilke, and Suzanne Valadon. Cassidy’s work reflects a dynamic blend of tradition and modernity.
Cassidy’s current artistic focus centers on the exploration and documentation of identity, particularly within the context of rural Americana. Motivated by the political landscape and its impact on women's rights and LGBTQ+ rights, Cassidy aims to amplify these often-overlooked perspectives.
In response to these themes, Cassidy has embarked on a new collection titled "In Fabricated Spaces: Midwest Home Identities." This series seeks to provide a platform for marginalized voices and to celebrate the diverse narratives that exist within rural communities.