Extra Credit- Post 4

Can You Name 5 Women Artists?

Art and Women is my very first college art class and before that the only experience I had with art was that from Elementary- Middle School. Taking this class I have already learned so much and to answer the question, yes, I can now name 5 women artists. Every single female artist we learned about in class has a story and the reason I am actually interested in this course is because it is amazing to see how many achievements these women have made and how they have progressed the art world is various ways. They are influential to one another, allowing them to lean on one another for assistance in acknowledging their work and they have impacted so many women to pursue art in general. After visiting the Brooklyn Museum, I learned even more about these artists that we discuss in class, as well as others that have made major achievements in the art world. Seeing these images in person is so much more different than seeing an online image because the work just seems more real. It enables me to see what the author was aiming to tell the audience and notice every detail that was taken into account when creating specific art pieces.

The following list includes 5 influential women whose art was displayed at the Brooklyn Museum:

1. Exhibition: Chitra Ganesh “Eyes of Time”

Chitra Ganesh is an American artist born in 1975 in Brooklyn, New York, where she now still resides. Her art is exquisite as she attends to subjects that have been excluded in society, history and literature, hoping to have her audience be aware of types of art that have not been “important” enough to be well- recognized. She engages in different forms of art by giving her art a twist and not only focusing on feminism but also discussing its cultural background. Ganesh’s work is recognized for her extensive comical images that reiterate previous important events in history that were not given much attention, as well as expressing her views of femininity. Most of her art pieces represent ideas and beliefs from various cultures, such as Buddhist, Greek and European mythology. Coming from an Indian background, she focuses on portraying her art to audience through a multi- culture perspective, centering different women in society as her main purpose.

In Ganesh’s exhibition “Eyes of Time,” she uses pieces from other artists to give meaning to her art. For example, she incorporated figures from Judy Chicago’s “Dinner Party” to show empowerment of women. The fact that she uses other influential artists work shows the amount of respect she has for their achievements and demonstrates unity in the feminine world. Not only does she succeed in acknowledging another artist, but she also succeeded in promoting her culture as well as others through creating this mural that shows the destruction and rebirth of the Hindu goddess, Kali. The purpose of depicting destruction and rebirth is due to the fact that the Hindu culture believes in the process of reincarnation.

2. Exhibition: Zanele Muholi “Isibonelo/ Evidence”

In 1972, Zanele Muholi was born in Umlazi, Durban and took part in many feminine activist groups. She co- founded the Forum for Empowerment of Women (FEW) and  took an LBGTI stance on her art by using media such as photography, video and installation with human right activism to raise awareness for the transgender and black lesbian communities of South Africa. One of her main goals is to make people understand the hardships that she and other black queer and trans people face. Her hope is to one day have society acknowledge their presence and put an end to all the negative, and discriminatory comments. Through all the activism roles she takes on, Muholi wishes to see a change in the way the world treats the LBGT community. She is working hard to make a movement and alter the way individuals in the American society, South African society, and others all around view people with different choices, allowing them to one day be free to choose those of their own likely and for it to be accepted in society. She is fighting not only for herself,  for those who are not only discriminated against for being black, but also for being apart of the society that is rejected and breaking the “norm”- the black queer and trans community.

Phases and Phases, 2006- 20013

Isibonelo/ Evidence is one of Zanele Muholi’s most famous works shown in many museums and galleries. It represents her experiences of living in a country that is both for and against LBGTI beliefs and lifestyles. While at times the country was supportive of their ideals  protected their rights, they were unable to stand up for them and keep away the violence.

3. Exhibition: Judith Scott “Bound and Unbound”

Judith and Joyce Scott

Judith Scott was born on May 1, 1943 in Cincinnati, Ohio and experienced many obstacles which led to her path of becoming an artist. When first looking at Judith Scott’s art, you may be amazed and taken aback by guessing what it is supposed to be portraying. Her art work is very complex and abstract, coming off as random. However, after learning the authors background her artwork is cherished and makes the audience feel a very sympathetic and appreciative way. Scott’s story is unlike others and after learning a little bit more about her I started to see art differently. Scott had down syndrome, was largely deaf and did not speak, however, that’s what makes her art so intriguing. Her twin sister took her in after she had been diagnosed as “profoundly retarded” and left the state institution. She was enrolled in “Creative Growth,” which is an art workshop that allows individuals to produce their own art.

What was so amazing about her art was the fact that since she was unable to speak her artwork spoke for her. She used her mind to create the images



that we have access to today, so her thoughts and emotions are expressed through the pieces she drew and worked on with materials such as yarn, wooden sticks, cloth, beads, etc. Her art wasn’t meant to please others, but rather herself and for her to pursue art with an impairment shows her passion and ability to do other things.

4. Exhibition: Judy Chicago “The Dinner Party”

Judy Chicago is a well- known artist who has been discussed in previous posts and assignments for this Art and Women course. Chicago was born on July 20, 1939 in Chicago, Illinois. She has been very influential on other women artists who were talented but afraid to face society in regards to being a women pursuing art, maintaining their lowly status towards men. Because of many movements achieved by Chicago, artists have been acknowledged and recognized for their work, which is respected by men today too. As well as feminist movements, she has also created many other programs that encourage individuals to produce or observe art in different forms, seeking a deeper and more meaningful meaning.

"The Dinner Party"

I have written about Judy Chicago a few times and seen her art work online. However, after visiting the Brooklyn Museum and actually seeing this exhibition in person, seeing it through the media is not the same. In order to actually experience her piece, it is important to physically see how meaningful her art is. The way the exhibit is formed is just such a fascination itself. Every place setting at the dinner party has a name engraved and the table is set perfectly. Other artists names are engraved on the tile floor- she gives many women artists credit for their accomplishments and takes the time to honor them in her work.

5. Georgia O’ Keefe "The Brooklyn Bridge"

An important women in art history is Georgia O’ Keefe, who was born in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin on November 15. 1887. She met her husband who was a photographer, Alfred Stieglitz after he gave produced her first gallery show. When he passed away, she moved to New Mexico, where she found the subject of her art- flowers and nature because of the beautiful settings that surrounded her.

"The Brooklyn Bridge"

One of her really important works of art that was displayed in the Brooklyn Museum was the “Brooklyn Bridge” upon her leaving New York City to continue her art career in New Mexico. This was her goodbye painting that displayed many different art styles and served as a main focus on modernization in New York City.

"Hibiscus with Plumeria"

Works Cited

"Chitra Ganesh - 40 Artworks, Bio & Shows on Artsy." Chitra Ganesh - 40 Artworks, Bio & Shows on Artsy. Artsy, n.d. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. https://www.artsy.net/artist/chitra-ganesh

"Artist Statement." Chitra Ganesh About. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. http://www.chitraganesh.com/statement.html

"Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art: Exhibitions: Eyes of Time: Chitra Ganesh.” Brooklyn Museum: Web. 13 Apr. 2015. http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/exhibitions/chitra_ganesh/

“Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art: Exhibitions: Zanele Muhloi: Isibonelo/ Evidence.” Brooklyn Museum: Web. 13 Apr. 2015. http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/exhibitions/zanele_muholi/

Cotter, Holland. "Silence Wrapped in Eloquent Cocoons." The New York Times. The New York Times, 04 Dec. 2014. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/05/arts/design/judith-scotts-enigmatic-sculptures-at-the-brooklyn-museum.html?_r=0

“Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art: Exhibitions: Judith Scott- Bound and Unbound.” Brooklyn Museum. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/exhibitions/judith_scott/

“Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art: Exhibitions: The Dinner Party by Judy Chicago.” Brooklyn Museum. Web. 13 Apr. 2015. http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/exhibitions/dinner_party/

"Collections: American Art: Brooklyn Bridge." Brooklyn Museum: American Art: Brooklyn Bridge. Web. 14 Apr. 2015. http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/opencollection/objects/1569/Brooklyn_Bridge