I received a copy of Sonja Ahlers
The Selves in the mail from
Drawn and Quarterly, I wasn't sure what to expect as I wasn't familiar with Sonja's work before. After I flipped through, I was sorry I hadn't known of her sooner. I started again at the beginning of the pale pink book, carefully looking through each page of thoughtfully placed collage, scribble, sketch, or scrap of typed paper. Each page chock full of cultural references I could relate to: a list of V.C. Andrew's books listed carefully (god, those were sickeningly tantalizing, ummm incest anyone?!), a quote by Sylvia Plath, pictures of Stevie Nicks and Princess Di. Each page with neatly scattered fine wit and loud commentary on what it's like to come into age as a woman. Her random references to crude jokes: 'That's what she said.' or her juxtaposition of Holly Hobby and WhiteSnake made me chuckle out loud.
Kathleen Hanna nailed it: "Sonia Ahlers' meditations on childhood, pop culture and feminine power are beyond entertaining. I found myself standing somewhere [between] seductive, familiar and very funny." So very true. See more of Sonja's work on her website or her blog.
