‘Shrew’d’ Survey of American Women Artists Opens at Sheldon

LINCOLN, NE.- Sheldon Museum of Art at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln presents “Shrew’d: The Smart & Sassy Survey of American Women Artists,” its biennial invitational exhibition, beginning Feb. 12. It features work by a diverse group of American women artists who use aesthetic media to question social norms of representation in art, popular culture and everyday life.

"Chloe" by Catherine Opie, 1993, chromogenic print, 20 by 16 inches, courtesy of the artist and Regen Projects, Los Angeles

The term “Shrew’d” is designed to signify both shrewd and shrew — both smart and peevish or sassy. The subtitle indicates the mixed message of “Shrew’d,” naming the contradictory perceptions of women who are smart and outspoken, and who, for that reason, may be perceived as defiant and insolent. The exhibition takes a critical perspective on society’s mixed messages about assertive women by examining what contemporary women artists do in their work and the strategies they take to succeed as artists.

Artists whose works are represented in the exhibition include Renee Cox, Kim Dingle, Alma Lopez, Catherine Opie, Deborah Kass, Martha Rosler, Carrie Mae Weems, Mickalena Thomas, Delilah Montoya and Philamona Williamson.

“Shrew’d” continues the tradition of invitational exhibitions that were held by the Nebraska Art Association beginning in 1888 and continuing through 1964. Many important artworks in Sheldon’s collections were acquired through these exhibitions. The invitational exhibition was renewed in 2005. “Shrew’d” will be on view through May 9.