Feminist Art

 

    Women have gone so far these past decades. Women have broken stereotypes from being a woman who focused on housework to becoming a part of a strong workforce who work in various jobs worldwide. In the past, women have been fighting for their rights since the 1800s, particularly in ART. Men dominated the world of Art in the last century, and although female artists were already present this whole time, only a few were recognized because of gender stereotypes.  Female Artists were not allowed to do their exhibitions and gallery representation because of their gender (Art Story). As tradition has taught, in Art history, women’s bodies were mainly seen as models. It was not until 1960 that women initiated the Feminist Art movement. Feminist Art does not criticize men for superiority but only promotes equality among genders. Below are some female artists that became significant during the Feminist Art movement because of their exquisite artworks.

 

Judy Chicago, The Dinner Party, 1974–79, ceramic, porcelain, and textile, Brooklyn Museum

    One of the first artworks that inspired the Feminist Art movement is the "Dinner Party" by Judy Chicago. Chicago is one of the influential artists who initiated the Feminist Art Program (FAP). The image above is an example of her installation artworks comprising centerpieces on a banquet table that honors thirty-nine powerful and significant women in history. It is remarkable how things were all together to make extraordinary art. Great choices of materials were used, like table runners, chalices, porcelain plates, and utensils. The embroidery technique was impressively done, like the gold thread in crafting the names in the table runners and the colors used in the objects.

Judy Chicago, Emily Dickinson place setting from The Dinner Party, 1974-79

   Brooklyn Museum (Photo: Philipp Messner

             

             Judy Chicago, Eleanor of Aquitaine place setting from The Dinner Party, 1974-79 Brooklyn Museum (Photo: Mark B. Schlemmer) 

    The two centerpieces have meanings that entail womanhood because of their female genitalia shape designs, which many people found disturbing. It became controversial to others because it highlights female anatomy; therefore, it was criticized by many and turned down for museum exhibits. It is interesting how people appreciate the nude paintings in the previous era but not this type of artwork. For some, this was altogether unpleasant, for others, fascinating. However, both women and men experienced something quite unusual: seeing the female subject matter in a female context rather than in relation to male art history.

Figure 1.Miriam SchapiroThe Beauty of Summer, 1973-1974, Acrylic, fabric on canvas, Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

                     

Figure 2. Miriam Schapiro, Anatomy of a Kimono, 1974, Acrylic and fabric on canvas - Private Collection

 

    Another influential artist of Feminist art is Miriam Schapiro. She collaborated and worked with Judy Chicago in developing the Feminist Art Program. She is known for the term “Femmage” which she initiated, means Feminine and collage pieces combined. The two artworks above are examples of her Femmage art. They are also considered Assemblages type of art because the pieces of fabric are combined to make incredible artwork. Women are known to be great textile artists. Unfortunately, before, women’s crafts were not recognized and were underappreciated. Schapiro proved this wrong by using various fabrics and transforming them into a monumental feminist statement (Art Story). In addition, she used her artworks to educate people about Feminism and Art. Both artworks have exquisite fabrics that are comprised of different colors. Figure 1 mainly consists of flowers with vibrant colors. Figure 2 highlights shades of dark stains on the left and bright colors with red-orange hues on the right. I had the chance to participate in this Collage Art when I was in high school, where we were asked to do mixed media: A combination of vibrant clothing and lace and paint and other crafts. Unfortunately, I did not win but creating the design made me appreciate ART more. More so when I saw the inspiring pieces from the winning participants: Schapiro successfully generated art opportunities to enable artist to create designs using crafts accessible to minority worldwide.

  

     Yoko Ono, Cut Piece ,1964, Yamaichi Concert Hall, Kyoto, Japan 

    Art can be in various forms and can be done through a theatrical performance. Yoko Ono was one of the first artists that introduced performance art. In the video above, Yoko Ono performed an act called  “Cut Piece” in 1964 in Kyoto, Japan. She sits on the stage, showing no emotions while the audience takes turns cutting a piece of her clothing that gradually falls away from her body. This is an example of Feminist Art because the video can be portrayed as an example of gender issues that women faced during that time. It also helped voice out their woman's rights. I like how she maintained her composure throughout the act. You can see in her reaction that she becomes uncomfortable when the last guy cuts most of the pieces in her clothes. She looks uneasy yet determined and prepared to take whatever comes, knowing she is giving her all. 

 

Bag Piece, 2022, Kunsthaus Museum of Fine arts, Switzerland

 

    The second video is inspired by Yuko Ono's 1964 "Bag piece" performance. It was reenacted in 2022 at the Kunsthaus Museum of Fine arts in Switzerland. You cannot see the person when they performed, but you can feel the emotions in their actions. It is fascinating how eccentric movements can say a lot of things. I like how it is performed in an inviting space that is surrounded by different artworks. It gives you a creative mood just by watching. The act can be simple but captivates you with how they perform with the bag. I can see how one can be very different when in the bag. You become just a spirit talking soul to soul, oblivious of the world's conflict.

    

    Feminist artists have been pivotal in expressing women’s issues in Art. Women of today showed they aren't only model objects in Art but are now the ones creating Art with their freedom. As stated above, female artists are now finally gaining recognition, as seen in the number of women presenting in galleries and being recognized in the Art world.

 Works Cited

“Feminist Art Movement Overview.” The Art Story, https://www.theartstory.org/movement/feminist-art/.

“Miriam Schapiro Art, Bio, Ideas.” The Art Story, https://www.theartstory.org/artist/schapiro-miriam/.

Girardeau, Merrill Lee. “Miriam Schapiro's Femmages at Museum of Arts and Design's Surface/Depth.” New York City Guide, CityGuideNY.com, 2 Mar. 2018, https://www.cityguideny.com/article/Miriam-Schapiro-Femmages-Museum-of-Arts-and-Design-.

Klein, Dr. Jennie, and Dr. Jennie Klein. “Judy Chicago, the Dinner Party.” Smarthistory, https://smarthistory.org/judy-chicago-the-dinner-party/.

KunsthausZurich. “Yoko Ono – Bag Piece 2022 Performance.” YouTube, YouTube, 31 Mar. 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1tOMWIAf1A.

 “Yoko Ono Cut Piece Clip.” YouTube, YouTube, 10 Feb. 2015,         https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWczMBtPa04.