GOLDEN TOUCH
An online exhibition of paintings by Fahren Feingold
Presented by The Untitled Space exclusively on Artsy
EXHIBITION ON VIEW
September 17th through December 31st, 2018
Artsy Online Exclusive
The Untitled Space is pleased to present “GOLDEN TOUCH,” an online exhibition of watercolors by artist Fahren Feingold. Inspired by concepts of Mehndi and it’s meaning in culture, the series will launch exclusively on Artsy on September 17th and will be on view through through December 31st.
“In my new series, “GOLDEN TOUCH,” I look to change the perspective of how a women’s menstruation is viewed. Throughout history, women have been shamed for getting their periods, and I want to explore why some cultures ancient practices seek to cleanse and degrade women’s experiences with bleeding. In Indian culture, the art of Mehndi, decorative tattoos using henna paste, is actually derived from Semitic cleansing rituals. It was considered that blood, particularly reproductive blood, was seen as dirty, diseased, and a sign of inappropriate conduct which would make one vulnerable to the evil eye.
According to experts on Henna, “Women negotiated their menstrual and reproductive vulnerability through henna, wearing visible symbols to show that they were pure, strong, in good spiritual standing, as well as in emotional and physical health.” Henna applied at the end of the women’s menstruation, signified to the men that she was clean and pure for them to engage with. But why all this shame? Reproductive blood is what creates actual life, something that men cannot do. This is an incredible and beautiful power, which should be celebrated, not shamed. Women today still feel embarrassment as they hide their period paraphernalia, discussing health issues in secret, and called into question when requesting time off from work. The notion that we should hide our reproductive bleeding is so deep-rooted, it’s difficult to reverse the thinking and begin to normalize. The ability to create and give life to another human is an invaluable treasure, something to be prized – as though it were gold, not the guilt and stigma we still experience.
In keeping with feminine watercolors of delicate and watery painted women, I chose to focus more on close up subjects touching fruits, flowers and seafood as a substitute for body parts. Edible and erotic, these particular substitutions allowed me to explore a subtler way of expressing close up erotic imagery. While I usually paint women’s fingertips in red, as a way to show their delicate feminine power, this time I used gold paint to call attention and further alter the meaning which so many past cultures have designated as shameful. Fingertips dripping in gold and adorned with gold jewelry symbolizes the power and divinity, thereby, transforming the previous meaning of filth to worship.”
– Artist Fahren Feingold
Marie Claire Magazine recently interviewed Feingold on her groundbreaking new series, stating, “Watercolor artist Fahren Feingold’s newest series “Golden Touch” is sensual and delicate—so delicate, some of her shapes slip into inky shadows. There are fingers dripping in gold and touches of pastel. One figure is a wash of blues and pinks, a few hazy lines denoting her waist and thigh. The series focuses on an aspect of femininity often discussed in hushed tones: menstruation… The name “Golden Touch” is a reference to the gilded fingertips in each painting, whether on nude figures or close-up hands. Rather than painting fingertips dipped in crimson blood, Feinstein changed the coloring to gold—transforming shame into celebration.”
Touted as “a trailblazing artist on a meteoric rise” by Vogue Arabia, Fahren Feingold’s watercolors have steadily gained recognition from collectors and critics alike for their sensitive, dreamlike colors, graceful brush stokes and rendition of the female nude. Vice Creators praised her work, stating, “Feingold’s watercolors appear to swim on paper. Her figures bloom and radiate with ethereal energy, and the occasional splash of bright colors imbues them with life.” Forbes declared in a recent interview with the artist, “She’s all about girl power. Feingold wants to empower and question wider issues, such as female constructs within the contemporary landscape.“ V Magazine noted her as a “particular standout” while the Huffington Post said, “Fahren Feingold captures the space where the ethereal meets the erotic…Her artwork is an attempt to undo the centuries of censorship, shaming and patriarchal politics that clouds the simple beauty of a naked body.” Through her erotic depictions, Feingold gives new voices to women of the past and present while exploring larger notions of female constructs in contemporary society. Her palette of bright pastels and soft colors invites the viewer to step inside her dreamlike erotic world.
Feingold’s work has been featured in numerous international exhibitions including her recent solo show at The Untitled Space gallery in September 2017, as well as “The Peep Show” presented by Fleur Du Mal; “Moving Kate,” curated by Nick Knight for SHOWStudio in London and The Mass in Tokyo; “The Vulgar” at The Barbican in London, curated by Judith Clark and Adam Phillips and “Red Hot Wicked” at Studio C Gallery in Los Angeles. Her work has additionally been featured in The Untitled Space group shows “ONE YEAR OF RESISTANCE”, “UPRISE / ANGRY WOMEN”, “SECRET GARDEN”, “LIFEFORCE” and SPRING/BREAK Art Show during Armory Week 2018 as part of the critically acclaimed “(Hotel) XX” installation and exhibition. Her work will additionally be featured in December at SCOPE and AQUA Art Shows during Art Basel Miami 2018.
For more information and press enquires contact us at info@untitled-space.com.
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