Although there's some discrepancy about what Marie Antoinette actually said about letting them eat cake, local artist Maureen Faulkner has no doubt at all.
Cake: A Traveller's Journey, will open at the Rustad Galleria at Two Rivers Gallery on Thursday with an artist's talk at 7:30 p.m.
"You can have your cake every day for the rest of your life and not eat it too! And you can lick it, have a slice of it, bathe in it or roll around in it," said Faulkner, who was a high school art teacher before she retired. "It's all yours and you can do that and that's something I think is really empowering for women and for men, too."
She said men in positions of power can be 'cake size' and still be seen as successful.
"But it's not the same for women," Faulkner said. "This isn't really an exhibit done for women but I am saying you can have your cake and not eat it, too. That is emotional for me to think about that."
The art exhibit is on tour, visiting Mackenzie, McBride and Valemount, as well as the stop in town. Along with the artwork, there is a catalogue that presents an essay by George Harris, curator at Two Rivers Gallery. The catalogue explores a progression of Faulkner's art, starting with sketches and developing into more detailed drawings with a more expressive style, characterizing her most recent work. The catalogue will be available at exhibition venues and can be used as a guide to the exhibition.
Part of the featured work includes a series of images Faulkner created using felt pen on paper called Rehab cake series 7: a week with friends. Each day as she helped a friend recover from a serious health crisis, she expressed herself in a meaningful way.
"I realize that my cakes are not about food," Faulkner said. "There is so much around food that speaks to our culture and history and how we are as human beings - if you pay attention."
Faulkner is happy to have her art showcased in the local gallery.
"It's a huge honour," said Faulkner. "So for my own city to allow me to showcase my work - and really - my life, I am so thrilled."
