Artist Linda Stein's sculptural armor exhibition, "The Fluidity of Gender," will be on display at Coastal Carolina University's Rebecca Randall Bryan Art Gallery from Wednesday, Jan. 15, through Friday, Feb. 28. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, Jan. 16, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The event and the exhibition are free and open to the public.

This exhibit is designed to challenge the traditional gender roles assigned to men and women. She addresses issues of racism, sexism, ableism and homophobia as seen through the lens of bullying by creating a form of body armor for what she refers to as "brave up-standers who will work for social change and gender justice."

Stein is a sculptor and feminist activist from New York. Over her 40 years as a professional artist, her work has evolved from sculptures of weapons and tools in the '80s, to blade-like sculptures in the '90s and early 2000s. Her style changed after the attacks of 9/11, when she saw images of men being treated as heroes and women being depicted as widows and victims. Stein attended the School of Visual Arts and Queens College, where she earned a bachelor's degree. She earned a master's degree at the Pratt Institute. She is also a member of the Veteran Feminists of America.

The Rebecca Randall Bryan Art Gallery is located in the Thomas W. and Robin W. Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts at 133 Chanticleer Drive W. in Conway.

The gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For additional information, contact James Arendt at 843-349-6409 or jarendt@coastal.edu.