Does Clothing Make a Woman More Powerful?

According to artists Tiffany Ludwig and Renee Piechocki, aka Two Girls Working, the answer is yes. And if you’re in New Mexico this summer, you can see it for yourself at their exhibition called ‘Trappings: Stories of Women, Power and Clothing’, at 516 ARTS in Albuquerque.

The exhibition is in conjunction with the release of their book of the same title, which begins by asking women to respond to the question: “What do you wear that makes you feel powerful?” Two Girls Working have interviewed over 530 women in fifteen states. Through its multiple parts, Trappings ignites conversations about the meaning and expression of power.

To expand the exhibition beyond the gallery and into the community, Two Girls Working developed a public art project combining portraits and interviews for the public buses. Each of the three downtown D-Ride buses will include photographs and an audio component. The artists use a voicemail system that offers an audio work to accompany each print, allowing bus riders to dial a phone number from their cell phones to actually hear each woman telling her story. Visitors ride the free D-ride buses and walk along Central Avenue downtown to take in the full exhibition.

ABOUT 516 ARTS

516 ARTS is a nonprofit arts venue presenting collaborative programs with museums and organizations in the region and beyond. 516 ARTS offers free gallery talks, educational tours, music and poetry performances year-round at the newly renovated 5500 square foot museum-style gallery space in the center of downtown Albuquerque.

Photo credits: Two Girls Working

twogirlsworking.com | 516arts.org

Edited by Ellen Schofield