From paint to power: Inside the ‘Relentless Women’ art show in the East Village

Let us now praise “Relentless Women”, who — as curator Katrina Del Mar explains — are “ women artists who never stop creating through all kinds of adversity, such as poverty, motherhood, lack of public acclaim.”

The group show of that name that Del Mar has put together with co-curator Marcus Glitteris at the Theater for the New City fills the large lobby space with a diverse collection of female artistry.

“Everyone I chose for the show is a dedicated professional; there are no divas,” she notes of the East Village exhibit. “All of the artists have excellent skill and craft.”

Del Mar, a painter herself whose work is included in the show, also works in photography and filmmaking and has her own band. She was familiar with most of the artists beforehand, having been friends with or worked with some of them and sometimes for them as a scenic painter.

Darryl LaVare has been a friend of hers for many years, and Del Mar remarks that in that time, “her work has leaped forward. It reminds me of the way that New York is.”

LaVare muses that “relentless is a great word. It takes great courage to show up and be true to yourself. My art is about finding the meaning to life and connecting to people who find meaning in my art.”

Mother and daughter Graziella and Melina Sobi both have artwork in the show. Melina’s is the large piece on the rightPhoto by Bob Krasner

The exuberant Elizabeth Kresch with her workPhoto by Bob Krasner

Laura Fay Lewis with her piece “Fireworks”Photo by Bob Krasner

Co-curators Katrina Del Mar and Marcus Glitteris in front of Del Mar’s paintingPhoto by Bob Krasner

Crowd watching artist Darryl LaVare onscreen in Scot-Free’s ” Fabulous Disaster”Photo by Bob Krasner

Melina Sobi’s piece “Follow Your Heart” is about “the journey of becoming an artist in New York City. I’m still on it.”

Claudia Santiso’s abstract work was placed near the front because, Del Mar explains, “it invites us in.”

Santiso discusses her process as it relates to the theme, as she is “relentlessly pursuing what can be done with paint. I’ll do things like mix oil and water to make a problem that has a new effect.”

Artist Darryl LaVare listening to poet Eileen Myles at the opening of the group art show “Relentless Women”Photo by Bob Krasner

Before reading her own work, poet Eileen Myles read a piece by Palestinian poet Batool Abu Akleen , in front of a painting by Gina VolpePhoto by Bob Krasner

Claudia Santiso (L) getting some support from fellow artist Suzanne ScottPhoto by Bob Krasner

Opening night for “Relentless Women” at the Theater For The New CityPhoto by Bob Krasner

Yez Tutic with her workPhoto by Bob Krasner

Co-curator Glitteris states that “the concept relentless for me speaks about how, still, in today’s world, women have to continue the uphill battle in a world dominated by man.. They must stay relentless in the pursuit of equality!”

Yezica Tutic tells us that her work is “very feminine. Much of it was done in an art residency in Spain. The theme is women’s empowerment.”

“There’s a push-pull in the show,” Del Mar observes. “It’s between hope and despair. You have to be hopeful to be relentless. I think there’s an anger and a fury along with the despair. And then a hopeful exuberance and an embrace of life. This could be the last hurrah for civilization.”

The show runs until Aug. 16 at 155 1st Ave.; the theater is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be a film screening and closing reception on Aug. 13 from 6-8 p.m.; admission is free.