Hamptons-Based Gallery Empowering Women To Share Their “Collective Conscience”

RJD Gallery owner Richard Demato has always been a passionate art collector, and four years ago while attending a Women Painting Women exhibition, he was inspired by the show and the blog spot of the same name (that explores “how contemporary women figurative artists are approaching women as subjects”) to establish a similar exhibit at his own Sag Harbor-based gallery.

When Demato, who has four sisters, was approached by artist Terry Strickland to see if he was open to hosting a show at RJD Gallery, he was all in. The gallery owner felt there was a “great synergy” and RJD’s artist roster was already predominantly female, so he gladly agreed to present the empowering exhibit.

The exhibit receives hundreds of entries. (Courtesy Photo)

“Each year we look forward to curating and hanging the Women Painting Women exhibition,” said Demato. “It provides an insight into the evolving ‘Collective Conscience’ of contemporary female figurative painters, and reflects the changes within our own society. Their artistic introspection, paired with a dedicated internal struggle, results in the birth of artwork with a clear and timely perspective.”

This year’s Women Painting Women: Our Collective Conscience exhibition will debut at RJD on Saturday, October 8th.

Social media made curating the 4th annual exhibit a tough endeavor, as thanks to the power of sharing, the Gallery now receives hundreds of entries from artists that reside all over the world.

“Every serious artist is compelled to paint, and some question the source or origin of the thoughts that come to them, as they struggle with the cathartic experience of turning emotions into color and brushstrokes, and cleanse their soul,” noted Demato. “Only then can they feel complete, as this is their chosen form of communication, and feeds their human need to connect.”

Each year, the submissions are narrowed down to just 10 to 18 artists, many of whom attend the Women Painting Women opening reception. The 2016 celebration will bring out artists Susanne Anan, Donna Bates, Julie Beck, Melinda Borysevicz, Larisa Brechun, Kimberly Dow, Lisa Fricker, Tanya Harsch, Brianna Lee, Shannah Levenson, Hilary McCarthy, Ana Medina, Nadine Robbins, Omalix -Quizás Mañana, Buket Savci, Patricia Schappler and Elizabeth Zanzinger. Works from Audrey Bell, Candice Bohannon, Margaret Bowland, Teresa Elliott, Jennifer Gennari, Charlotta Janssen, Andrea Kowch, Rachel Moseley, Yana Movchan, Katie O’Hagan, Odile Richer, Margo Selski, Adrienne Stein, and Pamela Wilson will also be on display.

Many of the artists attend the opening. (Courtesy Photo)

“Their courage to ignore trends and simply follow this instinctual desire, creates exceptional artwork,” Demato added. “We are proud to share these pieces of their soul.”

The Opening Reception for Women Painting Women will take place on Saturday, October 8th from 6 to 8:30 p.m. The exhibit will be on view through Sunday, November 13th.

RJD Gallery is located at 90 Main Street in Sag Harbor. For more information, call 631-725-1161 or visit rjdgallery.com.