Cruel Babes: A Solo Exhibition by Rachel Gregor

November 16 - December 7, 2024
Hashimoto Contemporary, New York City

NEW YORK CITY—For centuries, stories have shaped how we understand ourselves and the world around us. Familiar characters from folklore—heroes, tragic figures, villains, and innocents—are woven into the fabric of our culture, each symbolizing fundamental aspects of the human experience. But what do these archetypal characters mean to us today? How do they relate to our personal narratives and identities?

In her latest solo exhibition, Cruel Babes, artist Rachel Gregor presents her unique exploration of folk tales, myths, and ballads, all filtered through a deeply personal lens. At Hashimoto Contemporary in New York, Gregor, a Kansas City-based painter, reimagines these ancient narratives by casting herself in the iconic roles. Drawing from well-known compositions within the art historical canon, she constructs scenes that invite viewers to reflect on how ancient themes and characters continue to resonate in contemporary life.

Rather than a traditional pastoral setting, Gregor’s scenes are staged against a stark, velvety black backdrop, hinting at the constructed nature of these stories and her own reinterpretation of them. “I am taking on the roles of these characters,” Gregor shares, “changing costumes between scenes, giving a recital.” Through this approach, Gregor poses questions about how our perceptions of these archetypal stories evolve, particularly through a modern, female gaze.

Gregor’s paintings evoke a rich tapestry of folklore that has shaped Western thought—from Greek mythology to age-old murder ballads. One piece, Actaeon’s Hounds, casts Gregor as Artemis, the bathing goddess, with her own dog—a recently deceased Australian shepherd—snarling off-screen, perhaps at an unseen threat. In The Cruel Mother, inspired by a murder ballad, a blood-tinged shadow and a bleach-blonde Gregor evoke the harrowing tale of a woman grappling with the consequences of her actions. By inhabiting these diverse roles—woodland goddess, wayward child, and remorseful mother—Gregor allows viewers to confront the complexities of these stories and our own potential reflections within them.

The opening reception for Cruel Babes will be held on November 16th from 6-8 pm at Hashimoto Contemporary. The exhibition will be on view through December 7th. For additional information, images, or press inquiries, please contact NYC@HashimotoContemporary.com.

EXHIBITION DETAILS
Title: Cruel Babes
Artist: Rachel Gregor
Location: Hashimoto Contemporary, 54 Ludlow Street, New York, NY 10002
Opening Reception: Saturday, November 16th, 6-8 pm
Exhibition Dates: November 16 - December 7, 2024

ABOUT HASHIMOTO CONTEMPORARY
Founded in 2013, Hashimoto Contemporary is dedicated to presenting a diverse array of contemporary art from emerging to mid-career artists. With locations in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York City, the gallery supports artists whose perspectives and subjects are often underrepresented, offering a platform that balances tradition with innovation.

ABOUT RACHEL GREGOR
Rachel Gregor, born in 1990, is known for her poignant psychological portraits, capturing moments that hover between reality and the surreal. Her work, often featuring botanical motifs, reflects her upbringing in a horticultural family and symbolizes fragility and resilience. A graduate of the Kansas City Art Institute, Gregor’s art has been shown nationally and internationally, with solo exhibitions in New York, Los Angeles, and Zürich.

Links:

Hashimoto Contemporary: https://www.hashimotocontemporary.com/
Rachel Gregor: https://www.rachelgregor.com/
Rachel Gregor Instagram: @rachelgregor

Join us at Hashimoto Contemporary to immerse yourself in the hauntingly beautiful world of Cruel Babes, where ancient stories come alive through a contemporary lens.