All-Female Sculpture Exhibition Challenges Male-Dominated Medium in Los Angeles

An exhibition titled SOGTFO (Sculpture or Get the Fuck Out) in May 2015 featured six female artists addressing sculpture's historically male-dominated nature. Curated by Charlie White, the show included Amanda Ross-Ho, Kathleen Ryan, Nevine Mahmoud, Kelly Akashi, and Andrea Zittel. Ross-Ho's 2015 work 'Untitled Sculpture (Once U Go Black)' references Charles Ray's rescaling techniques through an oversized mannequin with stacked panties. Ryan's 'Bacchante' (2015) combines concrete balloons with a granite plinth, while Mahmoud presents ceramic balls in 'Basketball' (2014) and 'Beachball' (2015). Mahmoud also created spiked metal rings and a large vaginal form called 'O' (2015), which relates to Akashi's wall piece 'Figure oO' (2015) featuring wax-cast hands. Zittel's 'Flat Field Work #1' (2015) elevates domestic craft to serious art. The exhibition emerged from feminist and transgender advances alongside online avatar culture's postgender possibilities. Writer Quinn Norton contextualized the show's title through internet subculture dynamics where 'TOGTFO' tests in-group participation. Sarah Lehrer-Graiwer contributed an essay noting that while an all-female sculpture show is significant, an all-female Senate would be more impactful. The artists employed humor and technical skill to engage with sculpture's essential issues rather than offering reactive responses to patriarchy.