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Young Woman Warrior Prepared for Battle

2007

American, born 1977

Susanne Vielmetter, Los Angeles Projects

Contrary to male and female movie stereotypes of warriors in perfect physical condition and shiny armor, the artist casts herself in a deliberately anti-heroic fashion. Her armor is but a thin veneer of paint and gold leaf and the artist's composure is shy rather than steely. The work poses more questions than offering answers. Which battle is she preparing to fight? Is she bracing herself to face the skeptical art world or combating hero stereotypes in popular culture?

Single-channel color DVD, no sound

15 min.

Gift of Matthew Offenbacher and Jennifer Nemhauser with funds from the 2013 Neddy Award in Painting

2015.2.6

Provenance: [Susanne Vielmetter Los Angeles Projects, Culver City, California]; purchased from gallery by Matthew Offenbacher, Seattle, Washington, 2015; to Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, Washington, 2015

Not currently on view

Resources

Exhibition HistoryHouston, Texas, DiverseWorks, 'Now That I’m By Myself,’ she says, ‘I’m Not By Myself, Which Is Good,’ Sept. 11 - Oct. 24, 2009.

Seattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, Rebel Rebel, Aug. 29, 2015 - July 2016. No catalogue.

Published ReferencesRamey, Julia. “‘Now That I’m By Myself,’ she says, ‘I’m Not By Myself, Which Is Good.’” Houston Press, September 10, 2009.

Simonson, Lily. “Looking at Los Angeles: Nicole Eisenman and Wynn Greenwood.” Art 21 Magazine, May 26, 2011.

Graves, Jen. "The Most Unusual Art Gift Ever." The Stranger, May 6, 2015: reproduced.

Manitach, Amanda. “The Rebels Among Us.” City Arts, September 4, 2015.

Demetre, Jim. “Rebel Rebel at SAM to Run through December 13.” Seattle Magazine, December 2015.

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