Girls With Guns exhibit is revolutionary

Master printmaker Jenny Schmid has curated a remarkable show of prints titled Girls With Guns. Here Schimid asks the question, what if only girls had guns? She then asked 10 other printmakers, men and women, to submit works dealing with this subject. The outcome is a strong and vital show. Each artist has approached the subject differently, of course. We see interpretations that are sexy, maternal, vengeful and bizarre. Girls With Guns is a revolutionary concept with revolutionary tendencies.

Valerie Wallace’s “Mr. And Mrs. Jack Sprat” is a woodblock print laid on a silkscreen. A woman and man stare directly at the viewer, American Gothic style. The woman holds a gun pointed at the man’s stomach, the man has an erect penis pointed at her belly. He is without pants, she is without shirt. There is a bottle on the man’s head which adds a little levity to the serious and slightly twisted feel of the piece. This mismatched couple is carved out of wood with beautiful woodblock choppy line, somewhat reminiscent of German Expressionism. Behind them is a bucolic western landscape complete with blue sky and buffalo.

Alexa Horochowski’s silkscreen print “Vaquera” features a prepubescent girl dressed in cowgirl gear, with pigtails. She kneels on the ground with guns aimed high as if to start shooting wildly, her face is playful yet calm. Above the little girl a ribbon comes out of the gun and swirls around her head, with the words “Viva La Revolution” written on it. Horochowski’s line is sure and clean, her drawing masterfully done. The girl is placed on a wood grain panel-like background. The combination of seated girl and the wood grain panel create a dynamic composition. A skillfully complete piece.

Ruthann Godellie’s monotype “Now Talk” is very stark, and very dark. Black ink on green paper depicts a hand firmly gripping a gun. On the wrist there is a sweet little pink and lavender bracelet, a tribute to the feminine? The words “Now Talk” are written above. Direct and powerful. There is no disputing the meaning of this piece. “Now Talk” is simple and to the point. This piece brings into fruition every woman’s fantasy.

Jenny Schmid’s piece “The Pathetic End to Machismo” is a narrative piece in which the main character is a teenaged girl, with a very large head. Her sizable face is sweet and slightly complacent, with the hint of a mischievous smile. On her bicep, our heroine has the ubiquitous tattoo of the rebel, a heart with “Mother” written on it, and a sword going through it. Her outfit is comprised of a short dress, cowboy boots, and a girl’s most important accessory, a large shotgun. Under the heel of one of her beautifully drawn boots she pins a red devil. This devil, complete with forked tail, pointy teeth and snarling expression has ‘Machismo’ tattooed in large letters across his body. This marvelous female points the gun directly at his head. In the background behind our heroine are a series of girls’ heads with snake bodies. These figures blow air at illustrations of lascivious acts, as if to make them go away. Schmid’s colors are cheery blues, with rich reds and browns. This piece has a wonderful feel of gentle yet deliberate action being taken. Our bigheaded girlfriend seems confidant, focused and able. Everything you want in a woman.

Michael Barnes’ “Untitled” etching is spare but succinct. A shrouded machine gun points deliberately into space. The black shroud on the gun is odd, but the apple perched on the little table attached to the machine gun is even odder. The culmination of fruit, gun and cloak create a bizarre hooded creature. This piece has an ominous spooky feeling. Is the apple a reference to Eve? Or is this the feminization of machine gun use? Having a lovely snack while you blow things away with your Gatling gun?

The Girls with Guns prints occupy half of the gallery. The other half houses more prints by these artists. This is one of the best print shows by contemporary artists in a long time. Nice to see Kellie Rae Theiss showing such interesting work.

Girls With Guns continues through Aug. 30. Kellie Rae Theiss Gallery, 400 1st Ave. N., Suite 318, Mpls. Gallery Hours: Tue.–Fri. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. & Sat. 11 a.m.–5 p.m. 612-339-1094.