The Brooklyn Museum commemorated International Women’s Day by unveiling the exhibition ‘In the Now: Gender and Nation in Europe, Selections from the Sir Mark Fehrs Haukohl Photography Collection’ from March 8 to July 7, 2024.
The exhibition showcases fifty women artists whose work aims to challenge traditional ideas of gender and nationality through the extensive collection of Sir Mark Fehrs Haukohl Photography, starting from the year 2000. Featuring more than 70 works, this exhibition interrogates Europe’s notions of nationalism and patriarchy, giving a voice to the continent’s female artists.
Divided into distinct sections, the exhibition navigates through themes of "Gender," "Nation," and photography, thus celebrating the innovative approaches of women photographers. Bettina von Zwehl and Elina Brotherus are featured in the exhibit with their representations of women’s bodies that challenge beauty standards, while Sarah Pickering’s work navigates through the promises and realities of European identity, prompting viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about history and power.
Accompanying the exhibition is a comprehensive catalogue published by Steidl, featuring an insightful essay by Rebecca Mark, Director of the Institute for Women’s Leadership at Rutgers University. Mark's contribution further contextualizes the artworks within the broader landscape of women's activism and scholarship, enriching the viewer's understanding of the exhibition's themes.
Curated by Drew Sawyer, the exhibit serves as a catalyst for broader conversations surrounding gender, nationhood, and representation through its bold and unapologetic imagery.
Marlene Haring. Because Every Hair is Different. 2015 Alexandra Croitoru. Untitled. 2003
Carmen Calvo. La Cartina Indiscreta. 2015 Betina Von Zwehl. No.26 from the series The Sessions. 2016