Stories of Girls

Additional Information

Another Perfect Day, 1997, oil on canvas

Eliza Griffiths (Ottawa) will exhibit works from two series--Stories of Girls (1995-98) and Karate Girls (1996-98). Stories of Girls delves into the liminal world of female adolescence. The seemingly banal scenes in these paintings depict a complexity of meaning associated with changing bodies: those associated with heightened self-awareness; the development of collective and individual personae; and experimentation with roles of femininity. Bittersweet fantasy sequences of revenge and control, Karate Girls is a controlled explosion of response to the urban experience. These paintings are made in the context of the critical mass riot girls and girl power have attained in popular culture -- from bands like L7, Hole, and the Spice Girls to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. But unlike these iconic figures, Griffiths gives emotional presence and a familiar face to suburban angst. The paintings will be accompanied by an audio listening station with music and some vocal commentary that deal with female experience around two principal themes: desire/ pining/sexuality; and rebellion/rejection/energy. The listening station will be equipped with shag rug, fun fur and cushions, and a diaristic journal/sketch/comment book for patrons.