“Screams and Whispers,” a collaborative exhibition by artists Karin Broker and Patricia Bellan-Gillen, is one of three new exhibitions that will be featured at the Art Museum of West Virginia University (WVU) this spring.
“Screams and Whispers” will open in the Bright Gallery on January 24. Bellan-Gillen's colorful, intricate drawings complement Broker’s sparkling but serious sculptures. Each artist’s collection has its own themes, but both invite visitors to look beyond the surface of each piece into deeper worlds and meanings.
Karin Broker (left) and Patricia Bellan-Gillen (right) in front "Entangled Faith/Till Human Voice Wake Us and We Drown" by Patricia Bellan-Gillen
Bellan-Gillen's works are large and colorful, but the more you look at her drawings, the more you see.
“It’s about the language that we use to tell what’s going on in our heads,” said Bellan-Gillen. “When the objects come together, there is a meaning. My biggest hope is that people will give them enough time and think about the pieces to come up with their own memories or their own stories.”
Bellan-Gillen's pieces use imagery from different fairytales, including “Alice in Wonderland,” “Pinnochio” and “The Wizard of Oz.” The pieces challenge visitors to think about history and human experience through the stories’ imagery.
“When people from my generation say, ‘Oh, it was so much better when we were growing up. It was wonderful.’ I’m like, ‘Your little pocket might have been, but my mother worked in a five and ten store. She was probably the smartest person there and couldn’t be the manager. People couldn’t vote. So, it wasn’t wonderful.’ To say it was, to me, is like using weapon.”
Detail image "The Pulpit/Listening to Jackalopes" by Patricia Bellan-Gillen
Broker’s works are clothed in feminism and composed primarily of thrifted items brought together to tell stories of the female experience.
“I don’t see them as dolls,” Broker said of her sculptures, many of which take human form. “They’re these figures standing there proud. They’re saying ‘Hey, are you paying attention? Are you looking at what’s going on?’”
From being taken for granted as a wife and mother to finding the courage to walk away from toxic and abusive relationships, the pieces show the strength and resilience of women. They also bring attention to the injustices faced by women every day.
“These girls share their personal conversations about beauty, gender expectations and the difficulties and complexities of our tribe,” Broker wrote in her book, “GIRLS,” which features some of the sculptures from “Screams and Whispers.” “My small voice becomes louder with each piece I build.”
"Always Sorry Girl" by Karin Broker
“Screams and Whispers” is the first collaboration to come from Broker and Bellan-Gillen's nearly 50-year friendship.
“It’s been a goal since 1978,” Bellan-Gillen said. “It took 47 years to get to this point and we’re happy that it’s in such a wonderful space.”
After meeting in a lithography studio at Carnegie-Mellon University, the two quickly built a connection that’s remained strong, even long-distance — Bellan-Gillen is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Broker in Houston, Texas.
“We supported each other as we grew up in the art world and academia,” Bellan-Gillen said.
“I think I would do anything with Pat because I trust her as an artist,” said Broker. “I always said if I was going to be someone else, it would be Louise Dubois or Pat Bellan-Gillen.”
Karin Broker (left) and Patricia Bellan-Gillen (right) spent time in the Bright Gallery during the "Screams and Whispers" installation
“Screams and Whispers” combines the artists’ need to create with the societal issues they’re passionate about.
“I see it as me being the screamer and Pat being the whisperer,” said Broker. “When I see her pieces, I don’t see them as screaming. I see them as these beautiful drawings that just drag me in. I am screaming. I am old enough to have the right to scream, and I want women to be empowered. We both deal in beautiful things. There’s no doubt about it. I want you to look at something I make and think ‘Wow, that’s really beautiful,’ but I am angry at what people do to my tribe. Women are in my tribe.”
“’Screams and Whispers’ is based in our passion for social causes, history and for feminist issues,” Bellan-Gillen said. “There are times to scream and times to whisper to really get a message across to someone and to get something done.”
“Screams and Whispers,” will remain at the Art Museum of WVU through May 11. An opening reception for the museum’s spring exhibitions will be held on January 24 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Museum Education Center.
For more information, visit artmuseum.wvu.edu.