#ustoo, work by Ana Pearse
June 7-July 16, 2022
Exhibiting Artist Pearse creates artwork with a strong message
Artist Talk, Thursday, June 9, 12-1 pm
Corvallis Art Walk/ Reception
June 16, 4 – 8 pm (reception 5:30 – 7:30 pm
The Corrine Woodman Gallery I at The Arts Center shows work by exhibiting artist Ana Pearse. Pearse is a recent art graduate from Oregon State University. Their early focus on activism and women’s issues led to their current focus on topics regarding sexual assault and rape culture in contemporary society. They have exhibited work at OSU Fairbanks, Umpqua Valley Arts Association and Blackfish Gallery in Portland. They were named one of “Corvallis’ Most Impactful People of 2021” by the Corvallis Advocate.
Pearse’s work brings a strong message questioning the normalization of sexual harassment in its many forms. It further expands on The Arts Center’s 2022 Embracing Brave theme, a year about courage and developing resilience.
“We live in a world today where it doesn’t come as a surprise to hear about a girl being roofied at a college party. It isn’t shocking to find out about how your friend was sexually harassed by an older man at work. The question no longer is if you’ve been assaulted but rather, when. Women are taught how to avoid being sexually harassed, assaulted, and abused, with solutions such as wear more clothing, don’t go out alone, and carry a weapon. Why does it fall on the shoulders of women to avoid being assaulted?”
Ana Pearse
Pairing survivors’ transcripts with photographs, #ustoo is separated into three main groups of work: Places, What Were You Wearing? and Weapons.
The first section, Places, documents the locations where women were sexually harassed, assaulted, and/or abused.
What Were You Wearing? the second group of images, documents women wearing the clothing they were wearing when sexually harassed, assaulted, or abused. This work references the questioning and disbelief that many survivors experience from others as they talk about their stories, while also addressing the common misconception that a woman’s clothing plays a deciding role in, if not encourages, these violating acts.
The final series of photographs, Weapons, depicts the self-defense mechanisms women take part in due to fear of assault. Exhibited in a grid, these images demonstrate the guarded nature many women experience in their day-to-day lives.
The Arts Center’s Public Programs are supported by Oregon Arts Commission, National Endowment for the Arts, City of Corvallis Parks & Recreation, and through member, donor and The Arts Center Endowment Fund support.