Bex Massey’s solo exhibition brings together a selection of recent paintings and site-specific work made especially for VOLT. We Didn’t Start the Fire questions the disparity between the sexes from its inception in Ancient Greek myth right through to modern day celebrity culture.

The title of the exhibition references to the classic rock hit by Billy Joel, but also the story of Prometheus, who attempted to steal fire from the Gods. As a punishment for this hubristic act, Zeus creates Pandora and her eponymous Box (originally depicted as a vase).

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Zeus knew that no mortal could resist the temptation of opening the box which contained within it a plethora of evils. Eventually Pandora opened the box and all the evils and hardships of the world were.Despite the roles of the men as instigators in the story, the blame has been firmly cast on Pandora and womenkind forevermore.

Massey uses this ancient tale of inequality being set in motion as a starting point for her exhibition. Through an eclectic array of subsequent myths, fables and histories, we are asked to questions the implications of these stories and how they highlight the creation of a gender-biased culture and our complicity with this.

For thousands of years the flames of inequality have been burning, and according to The World Economic Forum, it will be another 257 years until gender parity is achieved. Using depictions of inventors, mythology and 90s nostalgia, Massey questions how we can address complacency when it comes to gender equality, and attempt to put out a fire that has been ablaze for so long.