Fierce is an adjective used to describe something or someone that is intense - a term that could certainly be used to describe the exhibition opening today at the McMaster Museum of Art.

Fierce: Women's Hot-Blooded Film/Video is a collection of alternative media from four women at the forefront of Canadian-based media production - Maureen Bradley, Dana Claxton, Allyson Mitchell and b.h. Yael - guest-curated by McMaster's own Janice Hladki, associate professor of theatre and film in the School of the Arts. The exhibition contains a rich collection of video art and experimental film, contributing to the impact of Canadian-based work on the international stage.

"It's my pleasure and privilege to be able to curate this collection," said Hladki, whose own research in alternative media led her to organize the exhibition. "All four of these women are excellent artists who each bring something unique to the table."

Hladki describes Fierce as being "incredibly accessible" to the public, saying it offers a look at how Canadian women artists are contributing to contemporary video culture as well as how they address a number of social, cultural and political issues such as health and the environment.

Fierce runs until March 27, when it will travel to the Robert McLaughlin Gallery in Oshawa, Ont.

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