Dominique Rey

Selling Venus/Vénus au miroir

May 11 – June 9, 2007

Opening Reception:
Friday, May 11, 2007, 7:00 – 9:00 pm

Selling Venus / Vénus au miroir presents a portrait of exotic dancers, and of the artist herself taking on the role of a stripper, at the Crazy Horse dance club in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. From the intimacy of their dressing room, Rey documents the performative process of self-transformation into “working women”. She uncovers illusions and stereotypes about a subculture of women in extreme feminine roles and in doing so reopens the debate on the exploitation of women in oppressive environments. A video installation in the exhibition further extends the duality between the private person and the public mask, bringing into play notions of physical beauty, narcissism, and the passage to self-acceptance.

This exhibition is organized by Plug In ICA, Winnipeg, with the financial assistance of the Manitoba Arts Council, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Winnipeg Arts Council, and Video Pool.

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Artist Biography

Throughout her artistic practice, Winnipeg based Dominique Rey has been focused on issues surrounding female identity and sexuality. She is particularly fascinated with the moment a woman’s gaze is self-directed even as she prepares herself for the scrutiny of others. By exploring this process of self-reflective looking, Rey reverses, displaces and creates the gaze anew.

Dominique Rey, <em>Sasha, 1 Year</em>, Colour Print, 2004
Dominique Rey, <em>Kendall, 2 Years</em>, Colour Print, 2005
Dominique Rey, <em>Mache, 3 to 4 Years</em>, Colour Print, 2004
Dominique Rey, <em>Mahogany, 4 Years</em>, Colour Print, 2004

Dominique Rey, <em>Roxanne, 3.5 Years</em>, Colour Print, 2003-4
Dominique Rey, <em>Tori, 2 Years</em>, Colour Print, 2003-4
Dominique Rey, <em>Trixie, 3 Days</em>, Colour Print, 2004
Dominique Rey, <em> Selling Venus/Vénus au miroir </em> Installation View