Between The Lines

Every picture tells a story. But sometimes they aren’t realistic.

That’s the message behind Florida Atlantic University’s new exhibit, “I’m Not Bad, I’m Just Drawn That Way: The American Woman in 100 Years of Ephemera.”

Click in to experience the online exhibition through Jan. 15, and you’ll get an eye-opening look at images of women from 1899 to 2020. Although it’s a celebration of the centennial of women’s suffrage and the ratification of the 19th Amendment, the exhibit was also designed to call attention to typecasting of women. 

“Each artifact reflects the spirit of the times, but a collective look reveals that typecast cartooning of the female gender is unchanged,” notes a press release. “Jessica [Rabbit’s] curvedly drawn figure is one of those archetypal images like the femme fatale, the teenage sexpot and the crotchety feminist, all of which outlive centennials.”

The exhibit’s themes range from women in advertising, choice feminism and craftivism as activism as well as good housekeeping, suffrage and anti-suffrage messages, and wartime propaganda. 

“The images in ‘I’m Not Bad, I’m Just Drawn That Way’ wake us up to born-again American messaging,” notes the press release. “At the same time, the exhibition glorifies feminine power and inspires change during a pivotal historical renovation.” 

For more information, call 561-297-2661 or visit fau.edu.