P.J. Svejda received her B.A. in illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2008. Svejda has shown in group exhibitions such as Street Clout at Studio Clout in Atlanta and Open studio at SCAD Atlanta. She has received commissions including mural painting at the Atlanta Humane Society. In support of her studies she has received academic scholarships and fellowships throughout her college career. Her work is uniquely cultural and controversial touching on issues in pop culture. Svejda is currently a painting instructor at the Vinnings School of Art and scheduled to graduate with her M.A. in painting from the Savannah College of Art and Design in the summer of 2009
Being highly involved in both the modeling/ fashion industry as well as the hip-hop entertainment scene, I have been exposed to themes and ideals presented by both sides. Perhaps the most unifying aspect of the two would be the roll of women. In entertainment and popular culture the woman is often a mere object; object of desire, of status, of commodity. Even more intriguing is the hypocrisy surrounding women and how they handle being objectified. Rarely a woman will admit that she likes or wants to be objectified however there is a constant competition of women vying to be the most sexually desired. There is a desire to entice the man while simultaneously intimidating other women in order to gain a sense of self-validation and power. In pop culture, hip-hop culture in particular, the use of language and the repetition of themes and phrases have made degradation of women not only acceptable but also trendy. In my work I try to visually represent these common themes and phrases that commodify women while showing the nonchalant attitude of the women on display, as well as the power they gain by using their sexuality to their advantage. I am not passing judgment or disapproval, just exploring ideas of possible perceptions. My work is more so an expression of women embracing their sexuality instead of hiding from it.
