Two shows, part of Peekskill: The Power of Women Artists.

At the Bean Runner I am showing three older pieces:

My work revolves around the female figure. I see women as strong, rooted, connected to the earth, the tree of life, earth mother, and mother earth.

The women are symbolic and iconic of the struggle to remain strong and creative inwardly while being nourishing and cherishing outwardly. Thus they reflect the dichotomy faced by women of the post-industrial era.

My women stand tall and powerful. I make them stronger and more powerful by exaggerating their legs and concentrating on the stance of each figure. The under structure of my cement figures immediately creates a gesture and a stance. As the form develops, she talks to me. Grouping my figures creates conversational groups, dialogs. Here are three figures created over a period of three years. They are the same scale–my size–life size; they relate to one another. They talk to each other and, through their gestures, speak to us. They live in my studio and carry on conversations with each other and with me and with the odd visitor who is ready to listen.

At the Paramount Hudson Valley Theater Mezzanine Gallery

Hoarder of Tea Tags, stoneware, 16.5 x 13 x 1.5″, 2013

A scar is a natural part of the healing process; every wound results in some degree of scarring. Scars represent healing of many sorts – healthy or not. Scars form only after healing takes place.

In this piece, part of her series ‘Scar Tissue,’ Brody explores the aftermath of divorce and the complexity of feelings in redefining herself after so long part of a couple. Within this simple image of two couples dancing, she deals with the sense of betrayal and failure and her resolve to rebuild. Brody’s typical vocabulary—elongated figures grouped, gesture, and the dance of life—is utilized here to create this new narrative.

Jo-Ann Brody 10/27/14