Fay Fairbrother Norman, Oklahoma Caged Spirits

The image of the caged bird is an age-old symbol layered with meaning. Being a fragile animal, sometimes a sexual symbol, the bird has come to represent the fate of the woman, the caged bird representing the repression of women. The concept of women as caged birds unifies this exhibit and is timeless and autobiographical. Women are caged for a multitude of reasons. Many of them choose not to fly away for even more compelling reasons. These visual statements address various issues of gender and gender stereotypes that have defined the place of women through history. Three new photo quilts by Fay Fairbrother are included in CEPA Gallery's Window on Main Street Public Art Project.