Artborne Magazine March 2017 | Page 37

and universalized through the point-of-view perspective of the image . The photographs are beautiful , defi ant , and necessarily humorous , valorizing the abject and satirizing an overwrought Western art historical canon .
In a departure from the medium of photography , Flanders ’ series Aphorisms and Fiber Works ( 2013-2014 ) takes on a more immediately political aesthetic , evoking Jenny Holzer ’ s Truisms . The fl ag-like , textual embroideries on linen are emblazoned with axiomatic statements such as “ THE PAST IS A MURKY WASTELAND ,” “ A HORRIFYING MIX OF ORDER AND LIES ,” and “ I will follow you blindly into the blackest night .” These textile works are perhaps even more relevant now than when they were created , as we face a frightening and uncertain political future as a nation experiencing the nascent stages of fascism .
Flanders says about her theoretical infl uences and inclinations , “ If I had to call out a theoretic camp for myself , I ’ d
Orlando Arts & Culture , v . 2.3
I WILL FOLLOW YOU ..., cross stitch
Alien Star , homemade kalidoscope photo
say I ’ m an anarcha-feminist , and a non-euclidean thinker . I prefer to act within my sphere of infl uence where I stand , to the greatest local effect possible , rather than try to infl uence the behavior of others from afar . I read books and consume information incessantly about all things that seem pertinent . I prefer to look outside of art as much as possible , but also within it .”
In addition to her expansive personal practice , Flanders is a member of Tampa-based photo collective Fountain of Pythons , as well as curatorial collective CUNSTHAUS , which has a gallery space in Tampa , and has recently embarked on a year-long project of curating feminist-oriented shows . She had a solo show in October of 2016 , Motley Precious Planets , at Tampa non-profi t gallery TEMPUS Projects , and was awarded an Individual Artist Grant by the Hillsborough Art Council in 2015 . Flanders is extremely active within her local sphere of infl uence . She lists such luminaries as Cindy Sherman ,
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