Art is one of the most powerful forms of expression. Through art, we are able to say so much without a single word. A painting or photo has the power to make us feel something. There are no ends to the way art effects us, which is why I am choosing to write about art and feminism this week.
In the 60’s when the civil rights movement was in full swing, feminists began to seek new ways to spread their message and make their voices heard. Before then, women were often denied exhibition for their art, just because of their gender. This led them to become innovators, sometimes creating their own venues to display their works. The goal of the artists was to emerge in the art world with a fresh perspective: the woman’s perspective. The art expressed the struggles of women and the need for equality. The artists wanted people to see their work and question the oppressive social and political environments they were living in.
These artists weren’t just any artists though! They often incorporated unconventional materials and live performance in their art. This fact also helped distinguish them from previously established male artists, who mainly stuck to painting, sketches, or sculptures.
One of the most famous (and most interesting) feminist art pieces is “The Dinner Party” by Judy Chicago. It depicts a large dinner table (Yes, an actual table, not just a painting of a table!). At the table are places for thirty-nine notable women from history and mythology. On the dinner plates are ornate butterfly and vulva-inspired designs. There are also the names of 999 other women painted on the tiles below the triangular table. This piece was part of a movement to re-discover women role models throughout history. Here is a photo of it:
Many of the great feminist art pieces were created in the 70’s. For instance, “Anatomy of a Kimono” by Miriam Schapiro. The multi-media piece utilizes the patterns on kimonos, pieces of fabric, embroidery, painting, and handkerchiefs to emphasize women’s connection to these materials and processes.
While the feminist art movement began in the second wave, it still continues into modern times. With the current political and social situations, feminist art is back in the limelight. Just think about all of the different art displayed on signs during the Women’s March. Those were all artistic expressions of feminism! I really enjoy working with different medias in art and I think it might be really interesting to create a feminist art piece. If I do, I shall post it in the comments below and I invite all of you to create a piece as well if you’d like! I think it might be really fun to create a visual representation of what feminism means to me personally.
If you’d like to read more about Feminist art, I recommend the website below. I found it very interesting and useful for my post.
http://www.theartstory.org/movement-feminist-art-artworks.htm#pnt_2
February 27, 2017 at 3:53 pm
I’m so glad you brought up feminist art. It took a while for me to be comfortable with a lot of feminist art because, as you mentioned, much of it is vulva-inspired. Realizing what was making me cringe, I was forced to examine why the representation, or ornamentation and display, of a vulva made me uncomfortable. This was a very helpful step toward letting go of some of the shame women are taught to harbor surrounding their bodies.
And, wow, thanks for sharing “The Dinner Party!” I can’t get over how each plate is its own work of art; it must have taken so much time and dedication to complete. It’s absurd that, not that long ago, art like this would have been dismissed on the grounds that a woman created it. It really makes me wonder about, and lament, all the art by women that we have undoubtedly lost because of society’s inability to appreciate it (or its creator) in its own time.
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March 3, 2017 at 8:24 am
I had the same uncomfortable feeling at first that you had! I was really surprised how many of the works incorporated vulva inspired designs. I think that’s actually part of the genius of feminist art. The artists don’t try to cater to people’s sensitivities. They want to make their audience feel something, because that helps send a message. Like you said, seeing that type of design so proudly displayed is a way of combating the body shame that so many women are made to feel.
And yes, I agree that it we have undoubtedly missed out on many wonderful art pieces due to society’s prejudices and narrow-mindedness. It is truly a shame. I can only imagine how many other intricate art pieces like “The Dinner Party” we might have. Like you, I thought about how long that must’ve taken. Even just one plate setting would have taken a very long time to create and arrange.
If you find any other feminist artworks, please feel free to post them and share! I still have hope that maybe some of these lost works are out there somewhere.
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