New Yorkشگفت آور (Fabulous).

Shirin Gallery NY is pleased to present شگفت آور (fabulous)., a group exhibition featuring the works of 10 artists, curated by Jasmine Wahi.

Opening Reception: Thursday, September 17, 2015, 6-8pm.

Participating Artists:
Dana Caputo, Farnaz Rabieijah, Jaishri Abichandani, Kate Hush, Lisa Ficarelli-Halpern, Lunar New Year, Rashaad Newsome, Shoshanna Weinberger, Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, Ventiko

The word ‘شگفت آور (pronounced Shegeft Aavar) or “fabulous,” has come to mean a variety of things: formally, it means extraordinary or phenomenal. As a derivation of Latin, Middle English, and French, ‘fabulous’ means mythical, unreal, or celebrated in fable. A contemporary colloquial version of ‘fabulous’ seems to have a more onomatopoetic connotation of ‘unreal!’ and ‘stellar!’- often implying beauty, style, or flair. Pop-culturally it is a term associated with flamboyance to the point of over exaggeration.

شگفت آور (fabulous). is an exhibition that explores all of the definitions and implications of this term within the context of female empowerment: The exhibition uses the term as a descriptor of the aesthetic and conceptual elements of each artist’s work. The word ‘fabulous’ is also intended to be catalytic of a larger conversation about contemporary feminist politics: questioning the intersection of traditional feminist identities with contemporary pop-culture, race, identity, and privilege.

شگفت آور (fabulous). includes male and female artists, whose works reflect some element, definition, or interpretation of ‘fabulous.’ On the surface the individual works as well as the larger exhibition is the reinforcement of female strength and prowess. Just below the surface is an exploration of the future of feminist discourse and the modes of empowerment that are considered ‘valid’; the issues presented range from ‘Beyonce feminism’ to feminist ‘waves’- from heroic females in the limelight to the unsung heroines who go unnoticed.

شگفت آور (fabulous). is part of a larger series of ‘fabulous’ exhibitions curated by Jasmine Wahi that explore the idea of female empowerment and ‘feminism’ in a contemporary context. These exhibitions specifically address connotations and definitions of the word fabulous within the conscientious context of both stereotyped and real perceptions of women. With each exhibition the word is translated into another language as an homage to the gradual equality and empowerment of women across the globe.