The Exhibit:
The Perfect Wife
Opening May 21 at Addition Agency in Vancouver, The Perfect Wife is a narrative-driven project that examines traditional heterosexual marriage through satire, exposing the cultural expectations placed on women through the nostalgic visual language of mid-century editorials.
Created through an all-female artistic collaboration, the exhibition combines photography, short film premier, installations, and immersive performance. Together, these elements construct a dysfunctional domestic environment that encourages viewers to reflect on tradition, identity, and the gender expectations that continue to shape women’s lives.
Through exaggeration and irony, familiar stereotypes of devotion and obedience are pushed to their limits, revealing the social structures that sustain them.
The Perfect Wife does not argue against marriage itself. Instead, it questions the conditions under which it is entered and the silent contracts it often contains. Beneath it lies a simple truth: choice is not universal.
Presented as an immersive experience, the work invites viewers to consider a simple question: if the image has evolved but the structure has not, has anything truly changed?
Join us for an opening evening featuring music by Mr. Pablo, welcome drinks, and a surprise art performance; admission is donation-based.
Knock, knock. Who’s there? Tradition.
She’s perfectly groomed and ready to entertain. The house is clean, dinner is ready, a smile is on, and silence, oh so conveniently learned.
“Trad marriage” has long been framed as the endpoint of womanhood: stability, safety, and purpose. It sounds reassuring—and in some rare cases, it does work.
But in most others, relying on a man to make your life worth living is far from a fairy tale.
Imagine he got a little too drunk and a little too angry, or gambled his worries away.
To those
who see me
as a hen -
I hatch ideas
now and then,
and lay career.
TEAM
PHOTOGRAPHY
Creative Director, Producer:
Valeriia Polishchuk
Photographer: Millissa Martin
Assistant Photographer: Grace Grignon
Stylist: Janet Ross
Production Designer: Kashika Kaushal
Set Designer: Kat Sawatzky
MUA and Hair Assist: Melody Attrill
Hair Stylist: Ceanne Chow and Linda Refosco with Lure Salon
Backstage & Assist: Paloma Andrade
Retoucher: Tanya Olifirenko
Special thank you: Anastasia Itkina, Turnabout
Male Model: Sam Hollis
FILM
Director, Producer: Valeriia Polishchuk
DOP: Zoe Hertz
AD: Daniel Wolczak
1st Assistant Camera: Solene Pango Salas
Production Designer: Kashika Kaushal
Set Designer: Kat Sawatzky
Stylist: Janet Ross
Hair Stylist: Linda Refosco, Ceanne Chow
MUA: Melody Attrill
Backstage & Assist: Paloma Andrade
Edit: Sveta Symakova
Colour: Max Volton
Sound Design: Daniel Gustafsson,
Cast: Valeriia Polishchuk, Sam Hollis
Special thank you: Anastasia Itkina, Daniel Wolczak, Ed Piliposian, Turnabout Store
INSTALLATIONS
Valeriia Polishchuk
Kashika Kaushal
Kat Sawatzky
PERFORMANCE
Grace Vukovic
Spencer Lord
OPENNING NIGHT PROGRAMING
May 21 @ 7pm
Immersive Performance
GRACE VUKOVIC
SPENCER LORD
The Last of Us,
Heartland, Family Law
Supernatural,
Mulligans
Film Premiere
Installations
DJ Mr. Pablo
CHARITY PARTNER
Safe Choice Second TransitionHouse Program
Since 1980, ACT 2 Child and Family Services, a not-for-profit registered charity, has helped transform the lives of those who have experienced the effects of violence, sexual abuse, and trauma, helping them rebuild their lives through counselling, education, housing and support.
The Safe Choice Program is a second stage transition home and provides supportive temporary housing to facilitate security, independence, and personal growth for women and children who have experienced violence.
Goals of the Program:
• To provide safe and affordable short-term housing with support services
• To help participants maintain personal health and safety
• To help participants learn practical life skills
• After residential support has ended to continue to provide service to these families as need to resolve crises as they integrate into the community and live independently.
SPONSORS
We couldn't have done it without your support.
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