Sara Kittaneh
Although I did not have the
fortunate opportunity to go to the Brooklyn Museum with the class or on my own,
I have done extensive research on some of the artists and their works that are
exhibited there to get an understanding of what I could have seen. Below
are details of 5 woman artists and one of their works, with images, that I
chose to research and write about. All these artists are feminist artists
with a great political stance on artwork and fierce attitudes and personalities
that are clearly presented and reflected in their artwork.
1.
Judy Chicago is an inspirational
intellectual most women should look up to. She is an author, artist,
feminist educator, and much more. She is well known for her famous
project, The Birth Project. The Birth Project is a collection of
39 works that make up The Dinner Party, exhibited in The Brooklyn Museum
and many other displays around the country. She has done many pieces to
represent power and potential that is hidden behind the patriarchy in this male
dominated society. The Dinner Party is made up of many different
place settings that all resemble a woman’s ‘private’ parts. These place
settings were created for women to gather around a table for a ‘dinner party’
without men. It was, and still is, very frowned upon for a woman to be open
about her sexuality, which is what makes Chicago and her artwork so fierce and
valiant. The Dinner Party and all her other artwork have some type of
symbolism toward the female anatomy to bring awareness to men, women, and
society that women should not be ashamed of their bodies.
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The Dinner Party, Judy Chicago, 1979
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| Judy Chicago |
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| The Brooklyn Bridge, Georgia O'Keefe, 1949 |
2. Georgia O’ Keefe is known for her
intricate flower, nature, and city/skyline art work. Although she was not
openly displaying the female anatomy the way Judy Chicago was, she played an
important role in feminism in art history. Georgia always had a passion
for art and taught art in many different places. She did not become
‘rich’ or ‘famous’ like a male artist would have with the talent she
demonstrated. UNTIL her work was shared with a well known male
artist in New York. This alone explains patriarchy and how women
generally have a harder time becoming recognized and well known in the art
industry. Georgia said, “The men like to put me down as the best woman
painter. I think I’m one of the best painters.” This is a great
point because no one ever mentions an artist’s gender, unless they are a woman.
One great piece of O’ Keefe’s was The Brooklyn Bridge. The Brooklyn Bridge is a personal
favorite of mine. The shapes, lines, and
symmetry used are so detailed but are able to come together to create a precise
replica of the Brooklyn Bridge.
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| Georgia O'Keefe |
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| A Sunflower From Maggie, Georgia O'Keefe,1937 |
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| Judith Scott |
3.
Judith Scott was one artist I
enjoyed doing research on after seeing one of her works in The Brooklyn Museum.
Bound and Unbound is a very complex series where Judith uses many different objects.
From yarn to envelops, to tires, they strongly depict Judith's
views on life. Growing up with down syndrome and loss of hearing/speech, Judith
was able to use fiber art to communicate and express her feelings.
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| Bound and Unbound, Judith Scott, 2004 |
4. Frida Kahlo is an artist I have
heard about many times but did not have the privilege of learning more about
her until this course. Frida was fierce, independent, and loved herself. These traits are perfectly reflected in her
art work since most of her art were self portraits. The bold colors she used in her art, her
confidence in the self portraits, and the love of her natural body were
revolutionary to art. Her perception of society and feminism are still frowned
upon today, over 50 years later. This
really shows the passion and intensity revealed in her self portraits.
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Kahlo painting the portrait of her father, Frida Kahlo, 1951
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| Cindy Sherman, 1988 |
5.
Cindy Sherman is a famous artist who is still alive today.
Although all her art is of photographs, the photographs themselves are
art. Sherman was known to dress up and
pose as famous actresses and snap photos of herself as if she is in the middle
of a scene. Her photographs are
displayed in many museums in New York, where most of her photographs were
taken. Through her photographs, Sherman
was able to explain the struggles of beauty and beauty of struggles. She explained the struggles of beauty women
faced when they compared themselves to women in the media. She also explained the beauty of struggles
with her sexual portraits bringing awareness to AIDS. Sherman's talent, feminism, and knowledge are
all displayed in many museums today.
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| Cindy Sherman, 1978 |
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| Cindy Sherman, 1970 |
Works Cited:
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