What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1173940
Q. What is the significance of your series' title? Gordon: A jerkbait is a fishing lure that's meant to look like a minnow that you move through the water by quickly jerking the rod. I chose that name because of its relationship to the fishing, but also the similarity to the sort of childhood insults like jerk, jerk-off and queerbait*. The hard "k" and "t" suit the aggressive nature of the images, and I wanted to acknowledge the power of language but also reclaim these words for myself. *The latter has evolved into a term referring to the practice of trying to have it both ways: Attracting a queer audience in fiction and entertainment by subtly suggesting queer content while never explicitly describing it so as not to upset anyone. In my life, it was used like gay or fag as an insult. Hennon: By striving for my personal best and being willing to risk showing artistic images Independent & Level 2 Assisted Living Community 2300 SE 28th Street | Bentonville 479.273.9969 www.themeadowsinbentonville.com We are a Family Owned and Operated Award Winning Level 2 Assisted Living Community located in Bentonville Located in East Fayetteville 2630 E Citizens Dr. #7 (479) 957-9300 wolfpackhearing.com Our patients succeed. You will, too! Best BestNWA.com of Northwest Arkansas the OCTOBER 6-12, 2019 WHAT'S UP! 5 See Artists Page 6 Five Minutes, Five Questions Artists Pat Hennon and Robert P Gordon Courtesy photo "UNBALANCING" (2019)—"My desired result is to take more risks in painting," artist Pat Hennon says. "I am an emotional artist who wants to depict strong feelings in my work. I want to feel empowered." 5X5 JOCELYN MURPHY NWA Democrat-Gazette T he new exhibition at Fenix Fayetteville explores gender, ambiguity and the relationship between feminine and masculine expression in the gallery's first two-person show. "Unbalancing / Jerkbait: Paired Exhibitions from Pat Hennon and Robert P Gordon" unites queer artists Hennon and Gordon with the aim of expanding the conversation surrounding gender and the queer perspective. Hennon's large-scale oil paintings in her "Unbalancing" series empower the artist to find balance through confronting the internal dynamics of opposing gendered forces. Gordon's "Jerkbait" series sees the artist challenging established binaries through self-portrait photographs in an endeavor to come to terms with his own pursuit of authenticity — and to share those discoveries with others. Here, both artists answer a few questions for What's Up! ahead of their Artist Talk on Oct. 11. Q. What can you tell me about your works included in the exhibition? Gordon: The pieces in this exhibition are mainly color self-portrait photographs in custom-cut frames. In them, I have ornamented myself with fishing lures, artificial eyes, body paint and fish fillets. There are also appropriated images and sculptural elements emphasizing the focus on the body and reinforcing sexual undertones. Hennon: This painting series focuses on the internal dynamics of feminine and masculine energies. These opposite forces create action. I try to paint action. I can only get to know myself by entering into my personal story. Finding my original artwork depends upon my progress in acknowledging my authenticity. To get there, I must be aware of the conversations between F/M within my personal story. FAQ 'Unbalancing / Jerkbait: Paired Exhibitions from Pat Hennon and Robert P Gordon' WHEN — On display through Oct. 31; Artist Talk at 6 p.m. Oct. 11 WHERE — Fenix Fayetteville, 16 W. Center St. in Fayetteville COST — Free INFO — 200-7181, facebook. com/fenixfayettevilleart