On display at the North Suburban Center for the Arts at Banfill-Locke from October 26-December 4, 2021.

Opening Reception November 4, 2021, 6-8pm.

6666 E. River Rd, Fridley, MN 55432

763.574.1850

With this project, I want to spotlight the lengths those who experience misogyny go through to ensure our personal safety. It is something many do on a regular basis. In some of the conversations around this project and with friends, it’s almost a running joke. But, inside of the laughter is a nervousness that we all connect to. This is our reality on these panels. -Cory Favre

Nearly 30% of sexual assaults happen while the victim is in transit. Out for a jog, going to work or school, or out running errands. Because this is the reality many of us live in. If we’re going out for a run, we may think about not putting our hair in a ponytail so we don’t have something to easily grab. If we are walking to our cars late at night, we probably are holding our keys between our fingers. We may even go as far as to create a whole different persona to deter an attacker.

Whatever it may be, it is on our minds and we go through various lengths to ensure our safety.

Cory created a large installation of 100 paintings, each 8x10 inches, depicting the items or ways people plan for their personal safety. Each painting will be sourced from a real person and what they really carry. Each painting tells a story, each is personal and each is significant. The hope is that when the project is shown, it will create a community for those with a shared experience and behavior, while also showcasing our lived realities to those who may not realize or believe them. There is power in numbers and it is more important than ever to keep this conversation going.

Cory Favre developed the idea for this project at the Women’s Art Institute in St. Paul, MN in 2019. She wanted to create work that was both personal to me and meaningful for others.

“Having been a victim of sexual assault when I was young and since developed this constant awareness or my surroundings, I wanted to bring that behavior to light. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I realized I wasn’t the only one who did this. Nearly all of my friends do too. There is usually some laughter when we talk about all the different ways we could fend off an attacker, but the core of these conversations are serious. I want the audience of The White Knuckled Project to feel a sense of community with those who experience these feelings and know they aren’t alone; I want to empower them to have a conversation about these realities.”

Cory was awarded the Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Initiative Grant in 2020 to complete this project. This exhibition is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant through the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.

This online exhibition of the White Knuckled Project will be available until June 30, 2021. An in person exhibition will be forthcoming at the Banfill-Locke Center for the Arts in Fridley, MN, fall 2021. Please check back for dates and times. There will be an artist talk and opening reception, TBD. We will follow current CDC and city guidelines for COVID precautions, but can’t wait to see you!

If you need support now, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.