Julie heffernan self portrait

Julie Heffernan

MENDING A REFLECTION 

September 3 – October 26, 2019

Mending a Reflection addresses the connection between culture, mass media and personal identity through the eyes of one central female figure.

Through ten self- portraits, Julie Heffernan investigates what she calls the “shared collective unconscious,” exploring the historical narratives and subliminal imagery that work to shape who we are and how we perceive the world around us.

Heffernan’s paintings help us understand how media can influence our behavior and manipulate our perspective.

In her large-scale vibrant works, she pays homage to many powerful women by including them in her portraits. Taking inspiration from women activists like Anita Hill and Tarana Burke, Heffernan confronts this bias by presenting what she calls a “different sort of self-portrait,” one full of female spirit, “giving voices to women who have be