INVASIVE SPECIES — Alexis Hunter

︎ projects

^{Exhibition Dates: May 26th to June 24th 2023}
^{INVASIVE SPECIES is a group exhibition, curated by Alexis Hunter and Jacqueline Overby, featuring fourteen women-identifying artists examining womanhood in a multi-generational habitat of male-ordained moral, sexual, and spiritual repression and exploitation. Each artist has her own unique perspective and biome of references. Whether it’s religious trauma, generational trauma, sexual trauma, or revenge, INVASIVE SPECIES is an opportunity to explore these painful themes from many perspectives like that of a fat woman, a trans woman, a Black woman, a formerly incarcerated woman, a survivor, and a mother.

An invasive species is a harmful, nonnative organism that expands its range from the site of its original introduction. In an ecosystem designed by and occupied by men, these women-identifying artists and women everywhere are invading male-dominated environments. It’s not just about rebellion or revenge, it’s a fight for survival. When surviving and responding to the greater issues present in our biome, maybe becoming invasive ourselves is the only way to be truly heard.

Featuring works by: Courtney Cone, Jennifer Ling Datchuk, Sarah Fox, Jessica Gritton, Katy Horan, Alexis Hunter, Intel Lastierre, Kim Le, Chantal Lesley, Hayley Labrum Morrison, Jacqueline Overby, Sara Vanderbeek, and Tanya Zal.}

^{Follow @invasive_species_atx on instagram to keep up with futher iterations of the series!}

Event photography by Leon Alesi

^{This exhibition was my curatorial debut and something deeply meaningful to me. The opening event drew hundreds of visitors, kicking off a series of engagements that fostered community dialogue around the powerful themes of the show. Later in the month, we hosted a performance event featuring local musicians Lazy Suzanne and Ms. Cashmere, along with a performance by Courtney Cone, a formerly incarcerated woman, who performed as her satirical alter ego, Officer Cheatham. Through humor, she highlighted the degrading conditions in women’s prisons, conducting body searches that revealed shocking examples of what counts as "contraband," such as hairbands, tampons, or mascara. Toward the end of the exhibition, we held a public panel discussion where I, alongside co-curator Jacqueline Overby, moderated conversations with participating artists about their experiences. Invasive Species received regional critical acclaim, including being named one of Glasstire’s “Top 5 exhibitions to see in Texas,” and resulted in my nomination for Concept Animal’s 2023 Community Favorites Top Curator. It was more than just an exhibition—it was an urgent, raw, and multi-layered narrative that connected deeply with its audience.}

watch the promo👀️

Photos from the panel discussion courtesy of ICOSA

︎︎︎

watch my goodbye performance😭️