Amazons, Goddesses, and Wonder Women: A Fulbright Journey

The Women’s Studies Research Center at Brandeis University is pleased to present Amazons, Goddesses, and Wonder Women: A Fulbright Journey, a cross-institutional exhibition in conjunction with Donna Dodson’s Fulbright US Scholar Award project, in the Kniznick Gallery. Since 2020, Dodson has collaborated with several artists and scholars to translate her wood sculpture series “Amazons Among Us” into a variety of mediums, including poetry and animation. Dodson’s sculptures are inspired by legendary warrior women such as the ancient Amazons of the steppes, the Dahomey of West Africa, and the Rani of Jhansi.

As Dodson’s heroines transform through porous materials of wood, word, and pixels, this interdisciplinary collaboration honors the endurance of ancient storytelling and extends it towards a posthuman future. Earthy, sensuous wooden icons encounter digital avatars of infinitude. A score of poetry written by K. Melchor Hall grounds the environment. Amazons, Goddesses, and Wonder Women examines how historical and futurist feminist mythologies can evoke ancestral connection, a sense of resiliency, and belonging. Audiences are invited to consider their own presence amongst these figures and how they can help craft legacies of social transformation and restorative justice.

This exhibition features wood sculptures by Brandeis University WSRC Resident Scholar Donna Dodson, poems by Brandeis University WSRC Resident Scholar K. Melchor Hall, collaborative animations with Trina Baker, Lesley University Chair of Animation and Eric Keller, professional animator and CG artist, with concept art and 3D models by Lesley University interns Lexy Saunders, Paola Colon, and Sarah Clifford and posterboards by Brandeis University Student Scholar Partners Pilar Duvivier and Cyrenity Augustin. Alongside this artwork, the exhibition will feature feminist animations from Dodson‘s international colleagues, whom she met during her Fulbright US Scholar Artist Residency at Q21/MQ in Vienna, Austria, with her host, Tricky Women/Tricky Realities, the world’s first and only animation festival for women artists.

Amazons, Goddesses, and Wonder Women: A Fulbright Journey is curated by Maya Rubio.

Exhibition Events

Opening Reception and Fulbright Panel with Djounia Saint-Fleurant, K. Melchor Hall, Hoang Duong Thien, and Aishah Winter

Tuesday, November 1, 5:00 – 6:30 pm

Register here

Fulbright Award-winning scholars K. Melchor Hall, Djounia Saint-Fleurant, Hoang Duong Thien, and Aishah Winter share their experiences and insight into the application process.

On Feminist Animation: A Panel Discussion Moderated by Trina Baker, Chair of Animation at Lesley University.

Tuesday, November 8, 12:00 – 1:30 pm

Virtual Event: Registration Required

A virtual panel on Feminist Animation, moderated by Trina Baker, Chair of Animation at Lesley University.

On Collaboration: A Panel Discussion with Donna Dodson, K. Melchor Hall, Trina Baker, Cyrenity Augustin, Pilar Duvivier, and Paola Colon

Tuesday, November 15, 4:00 – 5:30 pm

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Donna Dodson, K. Melchor Hall, Trina Baker, Cyrenity Augustin, Pilar Duvivier, (Brandeis SSPs), and Paola Colon, (Lesley University intern) will discuss their experiences working on collaborative projects with large teams.