CJ Shapiro

Born
1958
Nationality
American
Country
United States
City
East Stroudsburg

Institutional and individual prejudices have become normalized, idealized, and redefined as patriotism. These aggressions have grown to be widespread and extreme while lives and liberties have been eroded and destroyed.

 

My artwork is a reflection of these experiences as a queer, feminist activist, a cultural Jew but practicing Atheist, a visual artist, and a psychotherapist. It examines the social conditions that undermine our individual agency: violence, oppression, exploitation. The realities of sexual and physical abuse, sexism, racism, transphobia, and xenophobia are exposed with bold, colorful brushstrokes on large-scale canvases.

 

My paintings leave no room for interpretation. They are a shameless call to action. The truth is hard to avoid when you are forced to confront it.

Occupation
Painter
Address
2619 Huck Lane
East Stroudsburg, PA 18302
Languages
English
Biography

As a member of the LGBTQIA community, as an outspoken feminist, and as a Jewish woman who has experienced discrimination and antisemitism, CJ Shapiro uses her work to highlight social conditions that undermine individual liberty and agency. Her work grapples with issues including violence against women and children, sexual abuse, sexuality, race, and gender. Shapiro’s paintings viscerally expose the impact of, and adaptation to, a society that denies its own exclusion, oppression, and exploitation.

 

Born and raised in New York City, Caren Jo Shapiro is a visual artist, a psychotherapist, and the co-founder of Endangered Bodies. She holds a Masters in Fine Arts, a Masters in Social Work, and a Postgraduate Therapy Degree specializing in eating disorders. Recent exhibitions include “May I …” at StartaArta in New York, NY and Art for Social Change: DISSENT at Oak Park Art League in Chicago, IL.

Education
Bachelor of Art, Art and Psychology, State University NY, Old Westbury - 1983
School of Visual Arts, NY
Master of Social Work, Ehrenkranz School of Social Work, New York University, New York, NY - 2005
Post-Graduate Degree, Specialization in Eating Disorders, Women!s Therapy Center Institute, New York, NY - 2018
Exhibitions
2022
Art on the Mountain
Shawnee Mountain, Stroudsburg, PA
2022
Love the Skin You’re In
"Mahady Gallery, Marywood University, Scranton, PA "
Solo
2022
No Man's Land
Shockboxx Gallery, Hermosa Beach, CA
2021
The Art of New York: Annual Juried Art Show
Arkell Museum, Canajoharie, NY
2021
Artsy Mood
Boomer Gallery, London
2021
"May I ...”
StartaArta, New York, NY
2020
Art for Social Change: DISSENT
Oak Park Art League, Chicago, IL
2020
GOOD TROUBLE / U DECIDE: America!s artists honor the legacy of John Lewis;
Center for Contemporary Political Art; Washington D.C.; Austin, TX; New York, NY
2020
Immigration: An American Story
Dunning Gallery, East Stroudsburg, PA
Prizes and Awards
Third in Show, Member!s Exhibition, Pocono Arts Council, East Stroudsburg, PA - 2022
Honorable Mention, Portrait, Grey Cube Gallery - 2021
Special Recognition, "Figurative” Art Exhibition, LightSpaceTime - 2021
Best in Show, ALL WOMEN ARTIST, Contemporary Art Gallery Online - 2021
Finalist, "Open” Art Exhibition, Art Room Online Gallery - 2021
Finalist, 5th Annual "Colors” Art Exhibition, Fusion Art - 20121
Testimonial
Quote
" CJ Shapiro is a proactive, creative artist and a staunch advocate for women's rights. Her art focuses on the important issues of today. It reflects what she sees on a daily bases as a therapist in NYC and she never holds back when it comes to artistically expressing what many women experience on a daily basis. Her choice of work has always been perfect for the shows that my wife ad I have curated and she will always be welcome in our future exhibits. She has also inspired other area artists to create 'statement art', something we have been seeing more of here in the Poconos. As someone who has also created much political art, I thank CJ for that."

- Jack Swersie, Producer of Art Exhibits, Stroudsburg, PA