Not One Hair Out of Place: Rebecca Drolen's Surreal "Hair Pieces"
Fayetteville, Arkansas-based artist Rebecca Drolen's collection of self-portraits, “Hair Pieces,” is a series of 15 30x30" photographs and a smaller series of jewelry pieces made of hair., will be exhibited at Saint Joseph’s University Gallery in Merion Hall, Feb. 15 through March 28.
Hair Tie
PHILADELPHIA (Feb. 1, 2018) — Human beings have a unique relationship with our hair. We cut back certain tresses to appear presentable, while we grow others to express our personalities. The length and style of hair-dos vary per person, but what remains the same is its lasting presence, avoiding decay even when unattached.
Fayetteville, Arkansas-based artist Rebecca Drolen does not find more shame in one strand over another. Her collection of self-portraits, “Hair Pieces,” is a series of 15 30x30" photographs and a smaller series of jewelry pieces made of human hair. The exhibit will be on display at Saint Joseph’s University Gallery in Merion Hall, Feb. 15 through March 28.
“Hair Pieces” is a knowingly clever exhibit, toying with human social standards and perception. “Drolen's thought-provoking series is full of double entendres and clever puns,” says Jeanne Bracy, Saint Joseph’s University gallery’s curator. “The still life subjects are void of emotion but full of wry humor. Certain portrayals of body hair can make people squeamish or uncomfortable, but Drolen creates humorous narratives to address grooming customs,” she continues.
Drolen’s exhibit is a unique take on this duality people experience in relation to their hair. “’Hair Pieces’ explores the fickle relationship most people have with their body hair,” says Drolen. “I hope to use the beautiful alongside the repulsive in these images to tell stories of growth and removal as they examine a surreal relationship between hair and its place,” she continues.
Drolen earned her B.A. in 2005 and later her M.F.A. in 2009 from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. She lives in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where she is a visiting assistant professor of art and photography at the University of Arkansas. Recently, she has exhibited at galleries such as Oklahoma State Museum of Art, University of the Arts, Florida Atlantic University, Tarleton State University, and Hachava Municipal Gallery in Holon, Israel. Her work has also appeared in publications such as See Yourself X (SYX), Oxford American: Eyes on the South, and Infringe Magazine.
An artist talk will be held on Tuesday March 1 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Saint Joseph’s University Gallery is located on the second floor of Merion Hall on the James J. Maguire ’58 Campus at 5600 City Ave. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A campus map may be viewed online at www.sju.edu/map. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. The gallery has limited hours during spring break. Please email jbracy@sju.edu for specific hours during breaks or appointments. For more information, call 610-660-1845 or visit the gallery website at http://www.sju.edu/gallery.