Celebrating Women — HERSTORY Art Exhibition
There is a small black and white building in the middle of a small narrow road in Chinatown, Los Angeles. Walking down Bamboo Lane there seems to be nothing special with the dull building with tall clear glass windows but, on March 20th, a celebration is occurring. A celebration of women and their stories in honor of Women’s History Month. This celebration is the fourth annual honor of HERSTORY; A Women’s Art Exhibition.
HERSTORY is an Art Exhibition dedicated to women and their stories which was curated by Haley Fonfa, an artist and curator located in Los Angeles. Fonfa has curated this safe space for not just artists but all women, and her community for the past four years. Fonfa states in an Instagram caption regarding this event, “They say the best things take time and of course, nothing worthwhile ever comes easy. I’ve truly loved the evolution of this seed flourishing into the flower it is today, this lush garden only will grow from here, so thankful for everyone who waters it…”
Walking into the black and white building, I am reminded of a small teahouse filled with light yet creative energy. Light in both the terms of brightness as the sun rays are entering through the tall windows and lightness in an energetic sense. The sounds of guitar melodies are vibrating in the room as Jenn Clemena, a musician, is playing in the corner of the room while conversations among creatives, friends, families, and partners are occurring at the same time. Women are present wearing dresses, mom jeans, v-necks, and booty shorts. Not only are women present in this space but other identifying individuals are as well. I see gay men wearing feminine clothing with their makeup being loud and euphoric. I see women who wear masculine clothing and hold their partners who are feminine close in their arms. One thing I will say is that although I was not aware of those who identify as they/them pronouns I am quite confident they were indeed in the room and were contributing to the vulnerable and safe space.
I come into contact with Fonfa as I enter the space and walk towards her art wall. There are multiple pieces of art imprinted on the brick white wall that vary in canvas size and are illuminating beautiful blended purple, blue, and pink colors. Her table is filled with lighters, grinders, and prints of her art pieces. Just imagine a lighter that is wrapped in astrological art.
Fonfa, the purple-haired curator who wears a green and cream floral dress with brown or gold like heels and purple glasses introduces herself to me and thanks me for attending the show, which I engage with gratitude back and express my excitement that I am a part of the community once again after attending her previous exhibition, the Road less Traveled Art Exhibition.
As I continue on, that same wall with Fonfa’s pieces holds pieces created by Chloe Cherry, one of the actors on Euphoria who goes by the name Faye. Cherry’s pieces are collage liked pieces that present random images and cutouts that contribute to a central theme and message. Cherry was not present when I captured an image of her creations but soon after I left the show, Cherry was walking down Broadway Street towards the show in which she says, “I am running a bit late”, and laughs as we engage in a conversation where I originally asked for a photo. Cherry is seen wearing a pink checkered print mini skirt with white heels and stockings. To match, she finishes with a light-colored turtleneck with pink butterfly glasses. I won’t say I was not a fangirl over Cherry, I definitely was but I kept my cool nonetheless. Cherry is quite definitely a fashionista to say the less.
Throughout the entire room, the bare white walls are replaced with majestic and raw pieces of art. Some of these art creations were created with oil, acrylic, watercolor, and more. The vibrancy of colors is seen and the different creations with the use of moons, suns, naked women, black women, droopy figures, fairies, animals, the earth, and more are captured and created by these artists. There is no emptiness when looking at these pieces. Curiosity shines through as we seek to understand the intention and purpose of the piece. Many of these same artists also provide and sell prints or stickers of their canvas pieces on the wall. Artists connect with supporters in explaining some of their reasoning for using certain shapes and colors while videographers and photographers are simultaneously capturing these conversations or pieces with their devices.
Interestingly, in the center of the room, there are ceramic sculptures on display, some having only ceramic vase shapes with a pair of lips attached to them and one is a ceramic self-portrait of the artist.
The artists that were a part of this show were subjected but not limited to; Giselle Mariel Ibarra, Nancy Caudillo, Chloe Cherry, Eryion Williams, Evelyn Jones, Tatiana Cardona, Jenn Clemena, Torie Zalben, and Haley Fonfa. Not excluding those whose names are unknown but whose Instagram handles are; Hondoalex, meyyylmao, __i.c, yellow spoon girl, and thekinkypeach.
Finally, two artists were also set up with their artistic creations. One artist named Ezzybeanart on Instagram was presenting and selling her resin designs which consisted of trays, bowls, moons, jewelry boxes, self-defense keychains, and more. Meanwhile, the other artist known as Hardlymentionable on Instagram, brought her hand-wired jewelry creations like gem-wired necklaces, rings, and nose cuffs to present and sell.
One thing is for certain, Fonfa has curated these artistic and loving spaces not just for artists’ opportunities to showcase and sell their artifacts in these shows but, to also bring together a community that values art, creators, and relaxed yet fun experiences. When you enter the art exhibitions you instantly feel relaxed yet are thoroughly having fun engaging in conversations with fellow creators, with loved ones, and with the pieces presented.
In this case, HERSTORY captured the appreciation for women in Fonfa’s artistic community and women collectively. The celebration for women’s journey as they continue to grow within a society that has the tendency to degrade and at times dehumanize them. HERSTORY was itself a story in its making to oppose that. HERSTORY is a story for all women.
