Art piece “Judas” betrays no talent

UCCS student Nina Peterson spent over 60 hours using a thread, fiber and a ballpoint pen creating a work of art entitled "Judas," currently on display in the Business of Arts Center (BAC) in Manitou Springs.

In the "Gender Issues" exhibit, Peterson's piece, is difficult to miss. The 32 by 40 inch canvas contains a female figure exposed from the breasts to the knees on which the figure kneels in what Peterson describes as "execution style." The hands of the figure face outward one holding a needle with red thread, the other torn pieces of paper. The paper has been torn from the vagina of the figure, which has been sown back together with the red thread. On the floor lies a bag of silver.

Peterson, a sexual assault victim, told The Scribe the piece is about "realizing that the assault wasn't my fault. It is never any woman's fault. I wanted to do this to purge the negative thoughts and feelings," she said. "The woman in this piece is the Judas I was when I blamed myself." Even the delivery medium of the art has meaning. "Ballpoint pen is non archival, so it will fade eventually; hopefully assault will too."

Elizabeth Szabo, Gallery Director and Curator at the BAC, said the exhibit's purpose is to provide an outlet for works that might be controversial elsewhere.

"The BAC is trying to reach out to some different demographics in our community," she said. "This exhibit was designed to give the artist avenue to voice their opinion and point of view of sometimes controversial subjects, without fear of censorship."

Szabo said Peterson's piece went well with the overall theme, adding, "She creates a stunningly beautiful work of art about a subject that makes the viewer uneasy."

More than 350 people attended the opening for "Gender Issues," one of the BAC's strongest to date, Szabo said. The exhibit will be up for viewing until April 4.

The BAC reaches out to artists in all stages of their career. An artist who wishes to submit his or her work must be a member of the BAC and the work must be original and ready to hang or exhibit, according to Szabo.  

"Creating, being active in and supporting artists is a crucial part of society," expressed Peterson. "Art has the power to affect everyone and provide voice when it is difficult to speak."

For more information about artist proposal calls and exhibits see the Business of Art website: www.thebac.org.