AUSTIN, TX.- Unchained.Art Contemporary Gallery is presenting ‘DAMES : AMPLIFIED’, the first solo show in the US for hyper emerging Canadian artist Raeanne Schachter. This exhibition marks a significant milestone in her career, showcasing a completely new body of work that reflects her evolution as an artist. Known for her boundless energy and relentless drive, Schachter is a go-getter who constantly challenges herself, learns, and improves—qualities vividly mirrored in her latest creations.

This exhibition is not just a showcase of her artistic trajectory but a testament to her unwavering commitment to join the ongoing dialogue on gender and freedom. Schachter’s world of bold and unapologetic Dames, allows you to feel their strength and resilience. The Dames have much to say, and Schachter’s current work continues to give them a stage. This time, they are less inhibited, fearlessly vocal, and expressive. In fact, the Dames won’t shut up.

Schachter’s vision for this new body of work is to expand their vocabulary and presence through new mediums and techniques.

Artist Statement:

“The works in my current series, ‘DAMES : AMPLIFIED’ feature women who have much to say. The shifting, seemingly disparate use of mediums, methods and materials swing away from caution to amplify women's playful, unstoppable voices!

In this series, bright colours, bold lines, texture and distorted perspective express emotional temperatures and psychological intensity. As I cut into canvas, integrate found objects and LED light, these emboldened Dames develop in breadth of vision and voice. Likewise, some colour pallets are preconceived, grounded in theory and mineral-based, while others are spontaneous, modern and high in chroma.

The Dames portraiture challenges and expands traditional representations of women and join the vital conversation among contemporary women artists giving agency to everyday women. These Dame sculptures and paintings take up cultural and social themes that address gender stereotypes and the latest attack on women’s rights and freedoms.

Through exploration of interiority The Dames navigate common societal barriers. Dame Evelyn Glennie, a deaf solo percussionist who admirably navigates these barriers, contends that we ’listen with all parts of our bodies’ to truly hear. While visiting the exhibit, I invite you to hear the diverse voices of these women. As you eavesdrop on conversations among the Dames, you may begin to see through their eyes, noticing what you hear and feel.”

For the first time, male figures appear, adding another layer of complexity and dialogue. Schachter’s creative process is driven by the dynamic act of placing paint on canvas and the playful reconstruction of discarded objects into sculpture. Creating art from her thoughts and feelings is how she amplifies the voices of women who have not been heard. Schachter draws inspiration from themes of oppression and shame in both contemporary life and literary works like Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter. The strength and determination of women she knows personally, and those she admires from afar, such as Dame Evelyn Glennie, fuel her artistic journey. She resonates with the pioneering feminist art of the second wave, inspired by trailblazers like Judy Chicago and Barbara Kruger, while pushing the conversation forward in today's context.

Each artwork in this collection has its own story and timeline - some have taken years to complete. Schachter utilizes a mix of ancient techniques like lost-wax casting and spontaneous methods arising from chaos. Despite their differences, each Dame in this collection carries equal weight and deserves to be heard. Schachter’s work is a dynamic fusion of traditional and contemporary art forms, highlighting a fearless approach to her practice.