Women in the Heights: Hair – Untangling Identity
Curated by Andrea Arroyo
NoMAA Gallery is at 176 St and Broadway, inside the United Palace.
To mark the 16th anniversary of the beloved Women in the Heights exhibition, and in celebration of Women’s History Month (March), we invite artists to submit works that explore the many aspects of the subject of “Hair.”
Hair is an extension of our bodies, often associated with strength, beauty, sensuality, and personal identity. It has been adored, despised, wanted, unwanted, used, and abused throughout history. Literal and symbolic layers and extensions express tensions and intentions in culture and society.
Hair—whether short, long, shaved, straight, curly, or anything in between—embodies identity in Frida Kahlo’s brows, military crops, spikes, braids, dreads, and fros.
We invite artists to explore various related issues: the hairy, the scary, and the ordinary; human versus synthetic; barbershop and salon culture; animal fur; social standards; coiffure fashion; the haircare industry; and hair in politics, history, religion, culture, and mythology (Trump, Rasta, Samson, Rapunzel).
We encourage artists to submit works about hair, covering societal and personal aspects, individual and collective expressions, and both literal and poetic interpretations.
Timeline:
February 5, 2025 – open call deadline
February 14, 2025 – notification of accepted works
February 18-26, 2025 – work drop off dates
March 13, 2025 – opening 6-8pm
Eligibility: Open to self-identified women artists working or residing in El Barrio, Inwood, Washington Heights or Harlem. Above 110th Street on the West Side (west of 5th Ave) and above 96th Street on the East Side (east of 5th Ave).
