Kaitlynn Blow ’20 confronts the ghosts of violence against women in “An Incomplete Narrative,” on view at the Wikoff Student Gallery in the Nott Memorial Feb. 21-Aug. 3.
It is one of several exhibitions this year focusing on female empowerment in celebration of the 50th year of women at Union.
A multimedia artist and animator from Raleigh-Durham, N.C., Blow is majoring in visual arts with a minor in digital arts. She uses digital photomontage, 3D and 2D animation, and poetry in her visual storytelling and advocacy for women.
“I examine society’s lack of change as generations of women continue to tell the same stories and face the same problems,” she writes in her artist statement. “I use my art to call for social change because our loved ones are suffering and this shouldn’t be the norm.
“I have been particularly inspired by the Surrealist movement. I think exploring the subconscious, our dreams and fears, helps in expressing the human condition and hopefully furthers empathy, awareness and understanding.”
Blow believes most women have a personal story about sexual violence or know someone affected by it, as reflected by the international #MeToo movement against sexual harassment and sexual assault.
“I use my art to express the emotions and stories women have faced and continue to face, and to explore my own personal identity in relation to a society that has wronged my gender in so many ways,” she says. “I would like to think that expressing the experiences of countless women who have a story to tell is how we get society to change.”
The opening reception for “An Incomplete Narrative” is set for April 21, 5-6 p.m. The artist will give a spoken word performance featuring new poetry.