Hera Gallery Presents the Exhibition: SHAME
Juried by: Anna Dempsey

Concept: The exhibition SHAME attempts to lift the veils of submission and silence by exploring shame in its many dimensions. The concept of shame has reached a new level of urgency as we witness shaming being used as a strategic tactic in the current political climate where it has become common place and legitimized. Rather than purposefully confronting shame we are prone to step away from taking a close look at it’s nature and manifestations.

To feel shame is an act of self-erasure. To be shamed is a means of controlling others. To act shamelessly is a misguided path of self-empowerment. Shame has different cultural connotations yet is understood universally.

The following questions are central to this discussion: How does shame relate to power and oppression? What are the dangers of shamelessness? Does shame manifest differently in women and men? How do different cultures view shame? What is the antidote to shame? Is shame a tool that elevates self-serving judgement while demeaning empathy?

Juror Bio: Anna Dempsey is a Professor of Art History at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, USA. She received her Ph.D. in Art History from Columbia University where she was the recipient of a Presidential Scholarship, a Fulbright Fellowship, and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from M.I.T. Her research interests center on the intersection of public culture with a focus on urban street art, as well as museum spaces and gender politics in modern and contemporary installation art, painting, animation and film. Currently, she is working on a book titled Working Women Artists and the Construction of American Modernism, based on research she did at the Winterthur Museum in Delaware, where she was the recipient of a National Endowment for the Humanities fellowship. 

Artwork Delivery: Local delivery instructions will be sent to all accepted artists.
Delivery Due Date: Artwork must be at the Gallery by March 30th, 2019

Return Shipping: Artist is responsible for all shipping costs and shipping containers.  Artist must include prepaid return shipping label.

Sales Commission: Hera Gallery retains a 30% sales commission.

Insurance: Although the utmost care will be taken in handling your work, Hera Gallery assumes no responsibility for damage, loss, or theft. Artists are responsible for their own insurance.

Photography/Publicity: Hera Gallery reserves the right to photograph work for publicity.  By entering this exhibition, you agree to the use of your name, likeness, certain personal information, and artwork in any publicity material or documentation developed for the exhibition.

About Hera Gallery :

Founded in Wakefield, Rhode Island in 1974, Hera Gallery and Educational Foundation was a pioneer in the development of alternative exhibition spaces across the country in the 70s. The gallery was one of the earliest women’s cooperative galleries in the US, and remains the fifth oldest. Originally conceptualized as a venue for women artists, under-represented at the time in commercial galleries and museum collections, Hera has broadened its mission to include the work of regionally and nationally recognized visual artists of both genders who are at all stages of their careers.
Today, Hera Gallery is a vital setting in which to view innovative contemporary art in Rhode Island. Hera features year round programming, including gallery artist exhibitions as well as curated, thematic exhibitions featuring regional and national artists.
Over the years, Hera has designed its programs to reflect the cultural climate. Because of its flexibility and commitment to presenting exhibitions with artistic merit and integrity Hera has been awarded numerous grants for its exhibitions and programs including grants from Rhode Island State Council on the Arts, The Champlin Foundation, Rhode Island Council on the Humanities, Rhode Island Foundation, and the Puffin Foundation.

Application Requirements

Eligibility Criteria