Interview with Danielle Kangas: Behind the Scenes of F**k the Patriarchy
March 22, 2025 | By Anno Artem Staff
To mark the opening of *F**k the Patriarchy*, Anno Artem sat down with Co-Owner and COO Danielle Kangas to talk about the inspiration behind the show, the powerful performances and installations, and how this exhibit represents the heart of the gallery’s mission.
What follows is a raw and honest reflection on vulnerability, resistance, and creating space for truth in its many forms.
Photo credit:
Bryan Kirkwood
Q1: Last night was the opening of F**k the Patriarchy. How are you feeling now that the show is live?
I’m feeling in awe of the show. The artists and the attendees were just incredible. There were tears, there was joy—it was powerful. I’m so thankful to everyone who came out and helped create this moment. The energy in the room was electric. It felt like we weren’t just witnessing art—we were part of something bigger.
Q2: What inspired you to put together an exhibition with such a bold, unapologetic theme?
This was really a work of love by Lee Pohlsander. She had the vision and the drive to make this happen. We were honored to give her the space to share that vision—not just with us, but with the other artists, who took it and created something extraordinary. Her passion lit the spark that inspired so much of the powerful art and performances in this show.
“There were tears, there was joy—it was powerful. I’m so thankful to everyone who came out and helped create this moment. ”
Q4: One of the standout performances was Lee Pohlsander’s The Amazing Disappearing Woman or, The Bride Stripped Bare by her Bachelors, Even. How did that piece impact you personally?
Lee asked me to be the first to cut from her dress. I was the first to “ruin” the dress—and it was deeply uncomfortable to step into such an intimate space with a powerful, beautiful woman and be the one to take something from her. It forced me to confront the way society asks women to give of themselves—piece by piece. The performance made me reflect on how we often take without realizing the cost. It reminded me that we should show up for one another to build each other up, not take pieces away.
Q5: There’s a strong emotional undercurrent running through the show—from rage and grief to resilience and rebirth. Was there a specific message or feeling you hoped visitors would leave with?
I hope we learn to lead with empathy—for ourselves and for one another. That we show up to support and lift up the women in our lives, instead of fighting for the scraps men leave for us. This show is a call to stop competing in a system that was never built for us, and instead start making space—for each other, and for something better. We have the power to build a new space that honors us all.
Q6: What challenges, if any, did you face in organizing a show with this theme? Were there moments when it felt risky or controversial?
We’ve approached this gallery as a space to have our feelings—without limits. Of course there’s always the concern that we might piss someone off. But we do what we do in spite of the potential naysayers. If we let worst-case scenarios water down our message, we’d be doing a disservice to our mission. Anno Artem exists to give artists a space to explore freely, without compromise. That’s non-negotiable.
Q7: Can you share a behind-the-scenes moment from curating or installing the show that really stuck with you?
We were putting the final touches on the show just hours before the opening. That morning, I made a three-tiered wedding cake. Anthony was hanging the last of the tags. Lauren and Anna were setting up the audio equipment. It was a blur—before we were even fully “ready,” it was over. Much like my wedding, I’m not sure where the time went.
Earlier that week, Anthony and I were experimenting with pouring epoxy over *Courtship* to create a layered effect. It went amazingly—until the third pour. Oh boy, was that disappointing. But that’s part of the process. You have to move on. You have to learn to let go of your original vision and allow what *will be* to simply *be*.
Q8: How do you see F**k the Patriarchy fitting into Anno Artem’s broader mission as a gallery?
I think this show was the culmination of our mission. *F**k the Patriarchy* is a perfect example of what we hope to do at Anno Artem—create space for fearless, boundary-pushing work in all its forms.
We featured installation art like *Listen*, where we invited women to submit their voices for us to play through an old rotary phone. We had *Wood*, which showed a burning pier with a woman in a wedding dress. Lauren’s piece used a piano hammer board embedded in another wedding gown.
There were performances: poetry readings, the cutting of Lee’s dress, and Anna’s hauntingly beautiful songs. And alongside all of that, we had more traditional works—paintings and photographs. It was raw, layered, and multidimensional. Just like the mission.
Q9: What's next for Anno Artem? Are there future shows or projects that build on this momentum?
We have a group show coming up titled “The Anatomy of Addiction”. It’s another powerful and intimate theme that dives into the complexities of dependency, obsession, coping, and recovery—both personal and collective. Like F**k the Patriarchy, it invites vulnerability and raw storytelling. We’re excited to keep building on this momentum and continue offering a platform for bold, unfiltered voices.
Q10: Lastly, for anyone who hasn’t yet visited—what would you tell them to expect from the experience?
Be ready for something that will leave you thinking. We ask the viewer to go to some pretty vulnerable places. This isn’t passive art—it’s art that invites you to confront, reflect, and maybe even change. Come with an open mind and a willing heart.
The exhibition runs through April 6, 2025, at Anno Artem Art Gallery in Pottstown, PA. Learn more or plan your visit at http://annoartem.com.