Americans’ obsession with the scrutiny and manipulation of weight is evidenced by the dozens of accusatory headlines that litter checkout lines where we buy food. Serving as sentinels and guilt-casters over calorie-ridden conveyor belts, bikini-clad workout divas present the latest get-thin-quick scheme and unknowing celebrities are candidly scrutinized for their exposure of too much bulge (or bone).
In their upcoming dual exhibit at Gallery A3, two artists have aimed their sights on this mass-objectification of the body and have found appropriate fodder for art. Dorothy Osterman’s collection of gouache painting (also appropriately known as bodycolor) is named Yoga for Snakes and Birds. Helena Dooley’s collection of dieting “facts” painted on glass, canvas and paper (one of which is pictured) in Dieting: You Want Fries With That? simultaneously delights and horrifies.
Through April 26, Gallery A3, 28 Amity St., Amherst, (413) 256-4250, www.gallery-a3.com.