This Spring we celebrate local female artists at Pentimenti Gallery with a group exhibition titled Women in the City of Brotherly Love. This exhibition is included in (re)Focus 2024, a Philadelphia citywide program that celebrates women artists. The festival commemorates the 50th anniversary of Philadelphia Focuses on Women in the Visual Arts/1974.

Women in the City of Brotherly Love is a compelling exhibition featuring the work of three remarkable women who have chosen Philadelphia as their home. This show delves into the complexities of urban socio-economic dynamics, explores the inherent natural beauty of the city, and unravels the diverse tapestry of its neighborhoods. Philadelphia, acting as a vibrant muse, has bestowed upon these artists a lush and varied palette of inspiration. Their commitment to live and work in Philadelphia weaves a collective narrative that serves as a reminder of the city's creative gravitas.

Kiki Gaffney explores the natural world through both representational figures and abstract systems. Within her work, she combines motifs of nature, such as mushrooms and snowy mountainsides, with diagrammatic tools like visualized mapping and inverted images to create spaces of contemplation. Her vibrant array of materials and colors mimic the rich diversity found within nature.

Judy Gelles - For over a decade, Judy Gelles embarked on a compelling project, conducting interviews and capturing portraits of over 300 fourth-grade students across diverse economic and cultural landscapes. Her unique journey spanned China, UAE, England, India, Israel, Italy, Nicaragua, St. Lucia, South Africa, South Korea, and the United States. Gelles posed the same three questions to each student: Who do you live with? What do you wish for? What do you worry about? The Fourth Grade Project serves as a powerful conduit, connecting children both locally and globally, fostering understanding, and breaking down barriers. The exhibition features fine art photographs taken at a South African Public School, offering a poignant glimpse into this global exploration.

Lauren Mabry’s ceramic sculptures skillfully encapsulate moments of transformation that lie beyond her control. The ceramic works appear to be suspended in time, expertly capturing the fluidity of materials and the dynamic interplay of colors. Through the use of glaze, Mabry’s compositions visually oscillate between liquid and solid aesthetics. The underlying meaning of her work reflects her pursuit to comprehend the intricate interplay between control, chance, and forces of nature.