Laguna Art Museum is proud to present Carole Caroompas: Heathcliff and the Femme Fatale Go on Tour, a powerful exhibition showcasing a series of works created between 1997 and 2001 by the late feminist artist Carole Caroompas. The exhibition, guest curated by Rochelle Steiner, will be on view from Sunday, March 30 to Sunday, July 13, 2025, and offers an exploration of Caroompas’s most consistent theme: gender and power relations. This is seen here through her recasting of Heathcliff from Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights and other personae, including some stylized in her self-image.
“This exhibition offers a bold and thought-provoking narrative that invites viewers to engage with Caroompas’ unique approach to gender, identity and the dynamics of power,” said Julie Perlin Lee, Executive Director of Laguna Art Museum “Her fearless exploration of these themes will resonate deeply with those who appreciate the intersection of art and cultural critique.”
With a confident approach, Caroompas used a variety of materials and artistic methods, including painting, collage, embroidery and found imagery, to delve into themes of sexuality, identity and the subversion of traditional constructs. She merged influences from art history, rock music, literature, film and advertising, creating a body of work that reflected and challenged societal norms. Known for her dynamic compositions and bold use of color, Caroompas utilized techniques often associated with “women’s work” or craft, including stitching and embroidery, bringing them directly into contemporary, feminist discourse.
“Carole Caroompas was a bold, groundbreaking artist whose work was ahead of its time,” said Rochelle Steiner, curator of the exhibition. “Her investigation led her to consider power—between individuals and within society—and to take a stance and propose alternatives that resonate well beyond her era.”
Consistently throughout her career, Caroompas considered and subverted gender roles, power dynamics and the construction of identity. She did this at a time when opportunities for women artists were considerably more limited than they are now. Against this backdrop, her paintings were tough, noisy and radical.
Carole Caroompas: Heathcliff and the Femme Fatale Go on Tour is organized by Laguna Art Museum and is guest curated by Rochelle Steiner.
On March 30 at 11 a.m., artist Cliff Benjamin, who leads the Carole Caroompas Estate, and exhibition guest curator Rochelle Steiner will engage in a conversation about the exhibition as a ticketed program. Benjamin and Steiner will discuss the Heathcliff series and her unique—and often challenging—approach to artmaking as part of the talk. Tickets will be available soon at lagunaartmuseum.org/event-calendar.
For more information about Carole Caroompas: Heathcliff and the Femme Fatale Go on Tour, visit lagunaartmuseum.org. To stay connected and learn about upcoming events, follow the museum on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Credit: Laguna Art Museum.
Speak Your Mind