Visiting Artist and Activist Elena Gallina presents ‘Girlhood’ Exhibit

Thursday-Monday, April 4-8, 2024

Exhibition Location: Student Union Trueblood Gallery, Boise State University

Exhibition Reception: Friday, April 5, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

What is girlhood, and what does it mean to Kosovo’s history and Kosovar women today? Girlhood by Elena Gallina is an immersive exhibition exploring womanhood and collective joy in Kosovo. Through photography and textiles, this exhibit delves into the tradition of napkin trading, a nostalgic practice among Kosovar girls. Gallina’s portraits capture the diverse experiences of these women, and with a series of napkins from her collection, this exhibition fosters a dialogue on resilience and sisterhood beyond patriarchal constraints. Girlhood transcends tokenization, offering a celebration of the beauty of community that resonates with the innate strength of Kosovar women.

“The love expressed between women is particular and powerful
because we have had to love in order to live; love has been our
survival.” -Audre Lorde, Sister Outsider