Women At The Wheel
What’s it all about?
Women At The Wheel: Stories of remarkable women shattering cultural roadblocks and gendered assumptions is a series of thirteen 12" x 12" sheet metal paintings of a woman or group of women with authentic time period artifacts or with objects that tell their story.
The series spans the history of the automobile from the 1900's to present day. From inventing windshield wipers and brake lights to setting speed records in national/international racing events, or inventing Kevlar, or making interior design a key automotive component, these women created a mobility of possibilities that resulted in women's suffrage and opened doors to work opportunities beyond color and economic barriers.
WATW reconstructs a century-old narrative that all but relegated women to riding shotgun in the history of the automobile. Women made tremendous contributions to the techno-industrial landscape, and their stories restore a missing narrative in our collective memory.
Despite concentrated effort to erase contributions women have made, their voices prevail and their achievements must be properly attributed.
These women defied constricting social norms to make, do and be. Their stories are timeless because the truth of their lives is like an IOU: The payment of their achievements comes due with every woman who dares to make her own way in the world.
Watch Award-Winning Video That Tells Their Remarkable Story!
The Video
Some stories refuse to be ignored, despite concentrated effort to erase contributions women have made in techno-industrial fields.
Artist Pat Benincasa tells the story of thirteen women who defied spirit-crushing social norms to invent, race and design their way in to automotive history.
Their stories are timeless because the truth of their lives is like an IOU: The payment of their achievements comes due with every woman who dares to make her own way in the world.
Video based on 13 paintings by Pat Benincasa
Written + Produced by Pat Benincasa
Directed by Pat Benincasa &John Mark Hostetler
Funding by Puffin Foundation Grant
*** "Women At The Wheel: Stories of remarkable women shattering cultural roadblocks and gendered assumptions" Awarded First Place Feminism on Film at the Women's Independent Film Festival - Fall 2018 Season, Hollywood CA
The Paintings
This set of 13 paintings is available, contact artist for price. Note: The paintings are to remain as a set and will not be available individually.
Recognition for Women at the Wheel
Awarded First Place for Feminism on Film at the Women’s Independent Film Festival- Fall 2018 Season-California
Finalist, MY HERO International Film Festival
Award Recognition 2019, Impact DOCS International Film Awards Competition
FilmGirlFilm Festival 2019
Official Selection, 2020 Highway 61 Film Festival