“The American Woman (in art) – who is she?” – Yesterday I attended a gallery tour at the Philadelphia Museum of Art addressing the role of American Women in art. Evolving from subject to artist, I am reminded how lucky I am to be born into a time where the starting line for emerging artists is no longer gender bias. I take it all for granted as many of us do, but some of the most significant changes in the art world for women took place as recent as the late 1960’s and 1970’s. Just as I’m born, other mothers are creating a foundation where women not only learn art, but practice and teach, develop and discover. And I thought - it was so obvious. Little did I know that as I struggle to survive my teen years... women of direction such as the “Guerilla Girls” are in combat, paving paths I did not even know I would aspire to reach. “In 1985 The Museum of Modern Art in New York opened an exhibition titled It was supposed to be an up-to-the minute summary of the most significant contemporary art in the world. Out of 169 artists, only 13 were women.” From this note they emerged and with much thanks to their outrage and fearless creativity, the same signs that carried their protest now compose an exhibit on the same walls they contested, and not at all in vain, as they entertain alongside the works and achievements of many women artists, certainly much more than 13. With no intent to size down any of these achievements by women of joined forces, this tour took me back to a time where there was no unity. To explore the works and life of someone as daring as Mary Cassatt, I am truly inspired. With no female comradeship or allies she took them all on, rebelling the deprivations she faced, all on her own, for most of her life, for art. And, she did it. She delivered. Not only did she become one of the most famous female artists of her time, she was recognized, she delivered her perspectives on relationships, on women, like few before. So with a reinforced awareness and new appreciation of this legacy as well as the journey through which it’s evolved, I’m back home, sleeves rolled back, as inspired as ever to create, create, create. |
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