A Heroine Sample
Orange Glory Cafe
240 East Ave.
Feb 5, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

“Feminine Mystique”, the book by Betty Friedan that started the women’s liberation movement in the 1960s, drew attention to the massive unhappiness of women trying to fit a media-idealized “happy suburban housewife” role. Fast forward 60 years, the Heroine Sample explores the change. In mythology and folklore, the “heroine” is a woman idealized for her courage, achievements, even superhuman qualities of semi divine origin. To me, the Heroine Sample is just pure addiction – the process of making my own interpretation of Eve and attempting to invoke a more primitive connection with today’s electronic voyeur, far deeper than what can be accomplished with a cell photo. The Heroine Sample explores the feminine mystique in the modern world through art. Stephen Harkola began his figurative and abstract painting career while working in NYC and attending the Art Students League. His edgy, high contrast style compliments upscale, contemporary and urban environments