Although the media has decided that no one cares anymore and that women will go meekly into reproductive slavery, the art we’ve seen recently suggests otherwise. The oppression of women and attacks on their human rights have inspired works that are angry and poignant, such as Cleveland portrait painter Judy Takács’ “MASALA (Make Abortion Safe and Legal Again).”
Takács’ special skill has been her hyper-realistic paintings of women of all types, revealing their battles, strengths, scars and survival, so this topic is right up her alley. So it’s no surprise that she was award first place at the Akron Society of Artists Member’s Juried Exhibition, o view at Akrona Galleries, 1765 West Market Street, through December 6.
Juror John Paul Smolko said “Judy Takács’ piece, ‘MASALA (Make Abortion Safe and Legal Again),” is a perfect example of Judy being an artist in her own time. This is a dynamic issue in our society, and it took an enormous amount of bravery for Mrs. Takacs to create it and exhibit it in this exhibition. When I was teaching high school art, I told my students that they should create art that viewers will either love or hate. The kind of art that is not actually art at all is art that elicits no response and has no soul. This painting has soul. You will either love it or hate it, but you will not be oblivious to its presence. Judy Takacs has created a painting that explodes on the wall and demands your attention. It is thought-provocative, and we all will be voting on it this election. Picasso said, ‘No, painting is not done to decorate apartments. It’s an instrument of war for attack and defense against the enemy.’”
Learn more about Takács and her work at judytakacs.com.