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aren’t exactly
what most of us real women see when
we look in the mirror, though some days we
may try.
Not to burst anyone’s proverbial bubble,
but “Women I Know in Their Underwear” is
not about being sexy or funny. Featured in
the 1000 building art gallery, BergLundh’s
tcollection of acrylic portraits starring everyday
women in their everyday skivvies
are commonly described as “honest and
straightforward” as well as “vulnerable and
sincere”.
“This series started off being about the
funny yet
political
quality that
underwear
represents,”
says local
artist Pam
BergLundh
in her statement
about
the exhibit. “’Picture them all in their underwear’
is what people say when you are
nervous about speaking in public. It’s supposed
to make you laugh and relax you.”
This is not to say that the collection
doesn’t have a modicum of humor or sex appeal,
however. Let’s face it; as women some
of us may blush, chuckle, or throw back
our shoulders and walk a little taller at the
thought of being sketched in a mismatched
bra and panty, lounging
on the sofa talking
on the phone.
This is part of what
makes BergLundh’s
collection so incredibly
real. Her subjects
gaze at you,
empowered and
without shame or
reservation. On some level she’s you, or at
least someone you know. It’s a brave project
that confronts its viewers with the body issues
and issues of self-acceptance that most
people, and women in particular, face every
time pass a mirror.
“All of these women are beautiful, but it’s
not about that,” BergLundh continues. “It’s
not about validating their size or shape. It’s
not about sex or humor or any of the things
I thought it would be about. These are portraits
. . . that attempt to capture the person
more honestly because she is a little less
protected, a little more vulnerable and ultimately,
more sincere.”
Pam BergLundh’s installment “Women
I Know in Their Underwear” will be at the
SCC Art Gallery, located in the 1000 building
from Feb 28 through March 24 with an
artist’s reception on Feb. 28 at 3:30 p.m. For
more information on this and other projects
by BergLundh please visit her online
journal at http://pberglundh.mosaicglobe.
com/journal/611
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