Did you know that, centuries ago, fairy tales were told to adults as court entertainment? They were never intended for children. That’s why the princess is always seeking a kiss from the charming prince to fulfill her destiny — an unrealistic concept in this day and age.
At least that’s what artist Ruth Rodgers discovered after exploring the myths and folklore behind the old tales while in her role teaching English literature at college in Ontario.
“I have three daughters and a granddaughter, and I became concerned about the messages they were hearing while seeing the many Disney princess movies,” Rodgers said.
Surely we now have a more enlightened view of women, their roles and abilities, she thought. No woman waits for a prince any more.
As a figurative artist she decided to paint the true princess stories. The real story of Rapunzel is grim — far from being rescued from the tower, the young lady with the long tresses was attacked by her supposed saviour. A very pregnant Rapunzel is portrayed in one of Rodger’s paintings — one of a series of 11 recently shown in Ontario.
Rodgers has six of this collection on display at The Landing Gallery, 436 Marine Drive in Gibsons, in a show called Happily Ever After that opens this week. It also features work from glass jewelry artist Terri Whitaker. The opening reception is this Saturday, Aug. 9, from 1 to 4 p.m.
Another of the paintings, a mixed media piece with collaged art paper background, is titled Was a Talking Frog More Valuable? It shows a princess deep in thought as to whether it would be more worthwhile to kiss the frog who might become a prince or to market the chatty amphibian as a novelty. Rodgers’ portrait of Pocahontas depicts a new take on the Aboriginal maiden. She’s posed with a passenger pigeon, now extinct.
“The movies are changing,” Rodgers noted.
The last one she saw was Brave in which the young woman foregoes seeking a husband to win an archery competition instead.
Whitaker is a lampwork artist, that is, she makes embellished glass beads, which are then fashioned into jewelry. She will show a new series of flower-inspired pieces. It seems to fit with the womanly theme of adornment without buying into the Prince Charming myth.
Both Rodgers and Whitaker have men in their lives yet they stress they are individuals — independent women. Both are relatively new to the Coast. Whitaker arrived from Calgary three years ago to live in Roberts Creek and found an artistic home at the co-operative Landing Gallery where she now sits on the board. Rodgers retired from teaching a year ago and pursues a professional career painting both figures and landscapes. She hopes to open her home/studio in Halfmoon Bay to teach art in the fall.
The artists will be leading two more events during their show.
Even Princesses Get the Blues is a discussion of the impact of the princess myth on girls and women. Bev Shaw at Talewind Books, the show’s sponsor, will be on hand to suggest some good reading that adds to the conversation. That’s on Thursday, Aug. 14, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the gallery.
Then on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 1 to 4 p.m., Whitaker will give a glass bead pendant-making session. Participants will use her crafted beads to make their own jewelry.
“I picture this as a mother/daughter event,” she said, which is being offered free of charge.
Find more at www.ruthrodgers.com and at www.landinggallery.ca.
