Pforzheim celebrates female artists: special exhibition Letting Go” in the Red Salon

Pforzheim celebrates female artists: special exhibition Letting Go” in the Red Salon

The Pforzheim Gallery will open on Sunday, July 6th, at 5 p.m. with an exciting vernissage of the special exhibition “< 10% - women artists from the Pforzheim municipal collection”. The upcoming change of scenery will be designed by the talented artist Jeain Pyo, who will present her works under the title “Letting Go, Letting Go” in the Red Salon. The exhibition was curated by Regina M. Fischer on behalf of the Cultural Office and promises to promote the visibility of young female artists.

A total of five guest artists will show their works at interesting intervals to introduce the audience to the diverse world of contemporary art. The Pforzheim Gallery is focusing on an increased presence of female artists, as the title of the exhibition highlights the small proportion of female art producers in the city's collection, which is less than 10 percent. This fact is not only alarming, but also reflects the general disadvantage faced by female artists. Many have only been able to attend art academies since 1919 and yet receive less attention for their works

In the footsteps of Jean Pyo

Jeain Pyo, who is currently studying as a master's student in the “Arts and Future Making” course at Pforzheim University, sees her artistic work as “light painting in space”. In her works she addresses the interplay of light and shadow as well as the perception and subjective experience of reality. Questions about alienation, repression and identity are also addressed. Pyo uses a combination of projection, sound and digital technology to convey her messages in a contemporary and appealing way.

Around 40 painters, draftsmen and sculptors from the period 1900 to today are presented in the main exhibition, which will be on view until July 27th. In addition to these diverse artistic positions, the artist Sylvia Witzenmann will also be part of the exhibition. It fits in well with the thematic diversity of the event, which highlights not only the art but also the living conditions of the artists.

Parallel events and accessibility

In addition to the main exhibition, a number of exciting accompanying events are offered. Among other things, there are inclusive tours with a sign language interpreter, which will take place on Sunday, January 5, 2025, and Sunday, June 1, 2025, at 3 p.m. A special highlight is the “Plattenklatsch” with Bart Dewijze on Friday, February 14, 2025, at 8 p.m. Entry to all events and the exhibition is free, making art accessible to everyone.

The opening hours of the Pforzheim Gallery are Wednesday and Saturday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Art lovers therefore have numerous opportunities to visit this special exhibition and immerse themselves in the work of female artists who are often overshadowed by their male colleagues. Information about the artist Sylvia Witzenmann can be found at www.sylviawitzenmann.com and further details about the Pforzheim Gallery are available on the website of the city of Pforzheim.

Art history shows that the underrepresentation of women is still a hotly debated topic today. Despite all the progress, institutional barriers and the gender pay gap in the art industry still exist. It remains to be hoped that exhibitions like this can not only raise awareness, but also initiate a serious discussion about equality in the art world. The goal is clear: not only to name the active presence of women artists in art history, but also to shape it.