Feminist Art Movement

The feminist art movement began in the late 1960s; feminist’s aims have been to create equality (both in private and public life) between sexes. The art movement brought women’s accomplishments, in art, into popular culture and aimed to create work that relates directly to women’s lives, experiences and what it means to be a woman. I’m particularly interested in the work of Miriam Schapiro who as a pioneer feminist artist, she made work in the 1970s called ‘Femmages’, these were collages made from techniques she said were women’s activities sewing, cooking, piercing, appliquéing etc.

I think it’s a great example of women artists directly linking their work to female history and experience, things that are not traditionally or rarely practiced by men. The movement changed ideas of the types of art done by women and furthered the cause of the feminist movement by breaking down stereotypes. Judy Chicago has been making work since the 60s and is a feminist artist. One of her most famous pieces of work is the Dinner Party, which evaluates how women have been excluded through history.

Feminist artists made way for new types of expression in art and this filtered through and has affected the work of male artists. I think the link between art, politics and society is vital for progression not only in art but indirectly it initiates and forms new ideas within society. By creating new art forms to connect with people, and communicate ideas. The art movement was part of the overall feminist activism, the link between them makes many of the paintings produced in this time heartfelt and emotionally inspired. Perhaps of a stronger content and relevancy than something that has only been produced to be atheistically pleasing.

References

www.judychicago.com/

http://www.tate.org.uk/collections/glossary/definition.jsp?entryId=103

Wack! Art and the Feminist Revolution by C Butler

Feminism-art-theory By Hilary Robinson