School of Visual Arts (SVA) presents “Public Private,” an exhibition of work by five MFA Art Practice students, curated by the program’s Director of Operations and faculty member Jacquelyn Strycker. The exhibition will be on view Wednesday, July 13, through Saturday, July 30, 2022, at the SVA Flatiron Gallery, 133/141 West 21^st Street, New York City.

Artists are tasked with simultaneously looking inward and outward, of translating and transforming seemingly personal experiences into something greater. In this exhibition, the artists—all members of the SVA MFA Art Practice class of 2023—eloquently intertwine life and art, using private moments, inner monologues and identity as catalysts for creation. The private is broadcast, made public as a way to tap into a greater collective consciousness.

Janine Brown seeks to redefine subjectivity from a multiplicity of perspectives by calling upon the power of shared discourse. In her sound piece, Who am I?, one becomes aurally surrounded by individuals declaring “I am…” Statements, some mundane and others poignant, overlap, complement and conflict with one another: “I am a teacher.” “I am an educator.” “I am a student.” “I am terrible at math.” “I am afraid of numbers.” “I am at core empty, like the sky.” “I am invisible.” “I am an enigma.” “I am a good long-distance driver.” “I am lost.” “I am trying to find myself.” “I am truthful.” “I am a liar.”

In C. Fodoreanu’s installation, viewers come upon a reflective surface on the gallery floor, a slick vinyl pond upon which their own reflection begins to mix with those of printed silk flags hanging from above.

Heather Link-Bergman’s Golden Hour is made up of sculptural photographs of light in domestic spaces, like portals into a meditative expanse. The work finds magic in the quotidian. An ordinary small square of light from behind a curtain becomes a wondrous invitation into an other-worldly dimension.

Laura Cifuentes Almanza finds political power in revealing the highly personal. Her paintings, collages and textiles are a reminder that femme bodies remain a political battleground. In one work, ransom style lettering proclaims, “la maternidad será o no será” (“maternity will be or it will not be”). In others, womxn intimately, unabashedly and often defiantly invite you into their world. Menstrual blood blooms into a field of flowers. Hand embroidered textiles declare “Ni Unx Más” (“not one more”) and “en Colombia nos están matando” (“in Colombia they are killing us). The repetitive labor involved in their making, typically quiet gestures of care and devotion, are made loud.

Alison Pasquini makes dreamscapes of bodies melting into ominous, post-apocalyptic landscapes—private nightmares as a call to action for the public climate crisis. The works warn of a future in which nature consumes us after we’ve spent years consuming it.

The SVA Flatiron Gallery is open Monday – Saturday, 10:00am – 6:00pm. In accordance with SVA COVID-19 protocols, daily in-person visitation is limited to SVA students, faculty and staff.

The public may attend the exhibition reception by registering at least 48 hours in advance; to register, click the button at the top of this page. All visitors must show proof of vaccination (including booster, if eligible) and remain masked while indoors.