Monday, June 22, 2015

The History Of The Feminist Art Movement

The feminist art movement uses feminist theory to discuss and create art. Since it began, the feminist art movement has brought new insight to the art world and helped female artists access a larger audience for their work.


Beginnings


The feminist art movement began during what is known as the third wave of feminism (starting in the mid 1960s). The movement is focused on using feminist theory to discuss, make and view art works, art history and the art world.


Significance


The feminist art movement has helped shape changes in the art world since its beginning and continues to do so. More women artists have been featured in exhibits, several feminist galleries and museums have been created, and art historians are looking at past work under different criteria.


Types


Examples of feminist art can be found in all art forms. Paintings, photography, sculpture, fiber arts, mixed media and new media pieces are just a few ways feminist artists choose to express themselves.


Fun Fact


According to the statistics researched by The Guerrilla Girls at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, less than 3 percent of the artists featured in the Modern Art sections are female, but over 83 percent of the nude representations of humans are female.


Famous Ties


Judy Chicago, Mary Kelly and Kate Millett are a few famous artists to emerge from the feminist art movement. The feminist activist group called The Guerrilla Girls have also been made famous for their protests against discrimination and sexism in the art world.