Work In Progress:
Smashing the Patriarchy Leads to Shattered Ceilings
For far too long, women’s voices have been silenced, their contributions overlooked, and their potential confined by societal barriers—glass ceilings, wage gaps, objectification, and deeply ingrained sexism. Not to mention the unpaid emotional work, invisible labor and compromised ambitions. At the root of it all? The patriarchy.
Made possible by ArtsBuild & the National Endowment for the Arts, we're showing how smashing the patriarchy can lead to shattered ceilings. We're paying women, trans and non-binary artists to make work about how the patriarchy has held them back. And then smash it to pieces. Because sometimes the most radical thing we can do is name what's broken and refuse to carry it alone.
We want you!
We're partnering with women, trans, and non-binary artists from Hamilton County to create clay sculptures representing obstacles that stem from the patriarchy: wage gaps, glass ceilings, unpaid emotional labor, workplace double standards, amongst many more.
Not a ceramic artist? We've got an open call for the final exhibit for artists who have work that may fit the theme. (Scroll all the way down!)
01
We're asking local ceramic artists to make TWO pieces about the impact of the patriarchy: Something reflecting the weight of the patriarchy, and what you found on the other side.
The first one? The weight, the rules, the loss, the constraint of the patriarchy that has impacted you or held you back. (You might think about: What was taken from me? What were the rules I was told to follow that haven't served me?) This piece will be ceremonially destroyed: a release of everything that you no longer need to carry. Must be complete by Weds, October 21st.
The second piece? The overcoming. What's possible when we refuse to be put in boxes. What you claim for yourself, and the future you're building. These will be on display, and artists have the option of listing these for sale. Must be complete by Weds, November 18th.
02
You'll smash your piece.
We'll meet sometime between October 25th and November 18th to smash our pieces together, where we'll have a photographer and videographer there to document your piece and the smash. This will be an informal event with only the ceramic artists participating. (You'll vote on which date works best for you in the survey below!)
In the event that you're unable to attend the group smash, you'll be responsible for documenting your art and your own smash.
03
We'll use the smashed pieces as part of a mosaic sculpture.
Mosaic Artist Lisa Houser will turn our broken shards into something beautiful.
04
We'll host a show, featuring the mosaic sculpture alongside the non-smashed ceramic arts.
We're still working to secure a final location, which means our show date isn't yet set in stone -- but this free-to-the-public show will be between November 19th & December 15th in Hamilton County. We're targeting the first Friday in December: December 4th. If you have any suggestions on venues, please let us know!
All participating artists will be asked to respond to the same three prompts below. You may want to think about them as you're creating your piece.
1. Tell us a little about your piece, and where the idea came from.
2. What patriarchal rule or expectation does this work push back against?
3. If this work could start a small revolution in one person's thinking, what would it be?
05
Not a ceramic artist? No problem.
While the main medium for this show will be ceramics, we may have limited space for other pieces that explore the same thing. If you've got something you want considered, shoot an email to therosiestrevolution@gmail.com with details on your piece.
FAQ
What are the key dates?
For ceramic artists participating in the smash, your piece should be finished by Weds, Oct 21st for our smash. All other pieces must be submitted by Tues, Nov 17th. We are targeting Friday, December 4th for our final show -- but still determining our venue, so this may change.
What is the compensation for smashing my art?
For ceramic artists participating in the smash, we have artists stipends available since we're asking you to make and then destroy your work. Depending on the number of participants, we may not have a stipend for everyone who submits ceramics via an open call. If you were invited by Rosie, you have a stipend set aside for your participation.
What is my compensation for non-smashed pieces?
At our final show, we'll have pieces for sale to the public. You'll be able to price your piece at whatever you think is fair, and you'll receive 60% of the list price. 40% will be split between the non-profit and the venue.
How can I get involved?
If you're an artist, submit your art here. If you'd like to help volunteer in another capacity, shoot us an email - therosiestrevolution@gmail.com and let us know how you'd like to be involved!