Giovanni Bonelli Gallery is pleased to host Super S.H.E., an exhibition of artworks by some of the most important female artists from the Italian 20th century (Carol Rama, Carla Accardi, Maria Lai), along with female artists from a younger generation (Elena Monzo and Michela Martello).

The selected artworks are not directly linked to topics or history of events, but act as a fil rouge of concepts and attributes that form the title’s acronym.

S is for Sacrifice, which relates to every female artist’s life in a male-dominated society. Furthermore, S stands for Strength as well, intended both as the artist’s willingness and expressive power imprinted on artworks. This is clear in Maria Lai’s work, as well as in the sacredness expressed through Accardi’s abstract shapes.

H is both for Hag as an indelible mark that tipically accompanied every female activity not in line with society’s canons, and for Hard to indicate the difficulty to express and impose, as well as define some formal outcomes that do not submit to the stereotype of women’s sensitivity and fragility. This aspect is particularly seen in Carol Rama’s artworks and images on panels by Elena Monzo.

E is for Elegance, which results to be a common factor in many of the works exhibited, like the refined embroidered fabrics painted by Martello. And finally, Emancipated, as the primary attribute of the femininity not to be denied but used in order to express an autonomous point of view.

Also because of this reason, Michela Martello collaborates with Pen&Brush, a New York association which for over 120 years actively promotes women’s art in America.

The super-Her that comes out from this selection has many peculiar aspects and a never obvious expressiveness when confronted and judged by the visitor.