“TOGETTHERE With a Woman”, curated by Marika Parsadanelli Wardell is an art experience that celebrates women's creativity, resilience, and commitment in contemporary art, bringing together thirteen artists from around the globe.Hosted in the ancient and astonishing Oratorio dei Crociferi in Venice in November in conjunction with the Venice Biennale 2024, this group exhibition shares stories and cultures through a diverse range of works, including painting, performance, installation, and video.
The title “TOGETTHERE” plays with the words “Together” and “To get there,” highlighting the importance of collaboration and sisterhood in achieving common goals. The exhibition engages with the theme of “the foreigner,” in alignment with the Venice Biennale 2024's overarching theme, “Foreigners Everywhere,” translating it into a reflection on identity, connection, and the complexities of human and feminine experiences. Curator Parsadanelli Wardell emphasizes that generational and cultural differences should be seen as opportunities for growth and meaningful connections rather than obstacles.
The exhibition path unfolds as a spiritual pilgrimage through emotionally impactful works, inviting contemplation of women's conditions in both past and present. The participating artists address profound themes, from female empowerment and resilience to social justice and spiritual exploration. Their varied techniques and content convey the power of collective storytelling and the necessity of preserving historical memory while looking to the future.
The thirteen international artists explore a wide array of subjects related to female empowerment, resilience, and the intricate dynamics of personal and collective identity. Akshita Lad, raised between Mumbai and Dubai, merges tradition with modernity, addressing social issues through paintings that reflect gender and human fluidity. South Korean artist Vakki creates kinetic and sound installations, transforming ordinary objects into vibrant geometric forms to symbolize life’s cyclical nature.
Ekaterina Kombarova, founder of Maison Kaleidoscope, expresses love as a spiritual force through her abstract works, while Australian Mya Wright uses installations to expose exploitation in the fashion industry, highlighting child labor. Elisabeth Woronoff, artistic director of ARTEOS, tackles trauma with an installation that invites visitors to contribute to a collective healing space, and Belgian Marie Julia Bollansée performs ritual explorations of life force, using wool scarves to create meditative, silent pathways.
French artist Amélie Scotta examines the relationship between architecture and the individual, producing works that reflect the tension between structural rigidity and landscape freedom. Chuu Wai, originally from Myanmar and now in Paris, addresses dislocation and female resilience through combined images of female figures and evocative collages. Peggy Milleville, a German artist who has adopted Venice, celebrates the transformation of the city with works that portray its fragility and endurance, while Venetian Paola Turra explores the immaterial beauty of light using sculptures crafted from candle soot.
Armenian Karin Minasian delves into spiritual symbols, suggesting the transition from the ephemeral to the eternal. Natali Arefieva, born in Marbella, combines photography and sculpture to reflect on personal transformation pathways through the symbolism of gold. Curator
Marika Parsadanelli Wardell, who has an extensive international career collaborating with institutions like the Hermitage and fashion brands like Dior, offers an immersive experience that intertwines biblical symbolism with abstract performances to provoke deep reflection on spirituality and existence.
The choice of venue is significant: the Oratorio dei Crociferi, a building with a history rooted in supporting women in need, perfectly embodies the dialogue between past and present. Once a hospital and a shelter for pilgrims, it was transformed in the 14th century into a refuge for vulnerable women, providing safety and education. It stands as a symbol of female strength, which is why Parsadanelli Wardell wanted it to be the backdrop for the exhibition, connecting Venetian historical tradition with the contemporary voices of the artists.
“TOGETTHERE WITH A WOMAN” is part of an official cultural program sponsored by the Municipality of Venice, fitting into a month dedicated to raising awareness against gender-based violence. The event aims not only to celebrate art but also to invite reflection and action towards a world where women can express themselves freely and live in an environment of equality and respect.
