skip to Main Content

Self-Portrait as an Ionic Column I

by Vivian Liddell
Egg tempera and ink on wood panel
12 x 9 x 1 in
2022

Artist Statement

Gender and power are core concepts in my work. I’ve spent two decades in “The Classic City” (Athens, Georgia) surrounded by a dual Greek culture. Fraternities and sororities separate students by gender and play a part in cementing gender roles and power structures for the next generation; ubiquitous Classical architecture (often accompanied by manicured landscape) is a constant reminder of Western ideals.

I create tiny “plays” with handmade props and puppet plasticine figures to reenact imagined dramas that might happen on any given home game day. These sets become animations and anchor works in a variety of media. Even though my work relies on humor, I’m asking serious questions about how branding, everyday rituals, and consumerism play into established power dynamics.

This work depicts some of the props I made for my newest animation in progress that shows not-so-exaggerated fraternity hijinks and is related to the Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

FOR PURCHASE INFORMATION, contact the Decatur Arts Alliance at 404-371-9583 or [email protected] Download the price list here.

Back To Top