“Vixens or Victims?” Paintings by Connie Freid

Harrison Council for the Arts presents “Vixens or Victims” paintings by Connie Freid at the Harrison Public Library, Halperin Building 2 Bruce Avenue, on view October 2 to 29.  Meet the Artist on October 15 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.  This exhibit consists of recent paintings showing women’s strength and vulnerability in their many roles – whether as icons, objects of desire or defenders of our country.

Connie Freid, Artist Statement, “Vixens or Victims?”

“Moody, mysterious, powerful, provocative”….these are some of the words viewers have used to describe my art.  For over 20 years, I’ve been painting to express my feelings about social, cultural and political issues.

My work questions popular ideas about gender, race and beauty. With a bold, conceptual approach to portraits, I paint primarily women and children, showing both their strength and vulnerability, to express the contradictory ways we view them. Often labeled as icons or sex symbols, they may, in fact, be victims of prejudice or abuse.

Whether using acrylics or mixed media, I often find myself painting isolated figures with a haunting gaze, contrasting their solitude with an undercurrent of anxiety.  With expressionist brushstrokes and evocative colors, I aim to reveal their innermost thoughts.

Ms. Freid has exhibited extensively in the Tri-State Area and has won many awards.  She studied art at State University of New York, Purchase, NY; Silvermine Guild of Art; International Center of Photography; Philadelphia Museum School of Art.  Ms. Freid holds an MBA, Pace University; BS, University of Pennsylvania.  She is a member of Allied Artists of America; Ridgefield Guild of Artists; Greenwich Art Society; Art Society of Old Greenwich, Katonah Museum Artists Association.

The exhibit may be viewed Mondays and Wednesdays 9:30am to 9pm; Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays. Saturdays 9:30am to 5:30pm and Sundays 1:00 to 5:00pm.  For info call the Library at 914/835-0324 or see www.harrisonpl.org.