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Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?
Why have there been no great women artists? So asked Linda Nochlin in an essay published in 1971, the question that also inspired this Patchwork.
Art and its history have always revolved around male artists. But lack of recognition doesn't mean that women haven't been creating art or haven't been great at it. Once you immerse yourself in the world of women in the arts, you realize their abundance. In fact, women artists have been creating groundbreaking radical art for hundreds of years. So why the overwhelming majority of women artists have not appeared in the history of art? Sexism has been very successful in promoting and fomenting its oblivion. I became hopeful when The National Museum of Women In The Arts in Washington D.C. launched the #5womenartsits initiative to celebrate women's history month in 2017. Still, they retired the # once March was over until the following year. Then, it became evident that honoring women artists once a year serves more the sexist system than women (isn't it interesting that everyone and everything subjugated by the patriarchy gets a day or a month of celebration?). Even though we might never know if there was a female equivalent to Leonardo Da Vinci, little by little, history has taught us those female artists are equivalent to Picasso and Monet. So I insist that women artists remain grossly excluded from art history.
Many women in this Patchwork from 2019 are pioneers, founders, precursors, or directly influenced by artistic movements. For instance, Hilma Af Klimt (1) is considered a pioneer in western abstract art. Georgia O'Keeffe (7) is regarded as the "mother" of modernism. Mary Cassatt (10) and Berthe Morisot (85) were pioneers and founding members of the French impressionist movement. Elizabeth Cattlet (11) is an African American icon of the 20th century. In 1964, Violeta Parra (14) became the first Latin American artist to have a solo show at the Louvre Museum in Paris. Frances Benjamin Johnston (15) is a pioneer of photojournalism. Shamisa Hassani (20) popularized street art in Afghanistan. Bethye Saar (25) is a legend in the assemble art media and a pioneer of the African American contemporary art movement. Ruth Inge Hardison (35) was the only female at the Black Academy of Arts and Letters in 1969. Suzanne Valdon (41) was the first woman who dared to paint a naked male torso facing forward. Kay Brown (47) was one of the founders of "Where We At," black women's artists collective in 1960-the 70s. Leonore Tawney (50) influenced the development of the fiber arts. Augusta Savage (51) is considered one of the most influential African American sculpturists of the 20th century, paving the way for the next generations. Eva Hesse (52) led the post-minimal movement of the 1960s. Gabriele Münter (55) was at the forefront of the expressionist movement in the early 20th century. Rosa Bonheur (61) pioneered the animalè painting of the 1800s. Marie Laurencin (65) was an important member and avant-garde artist of the cubist movement. Madge Gill ( 70) was the precursor of the "visionary art" movement. Teresa Burga (71) is also a precursor of media art in Latin America. Paula Moderson-Beker (73) is one the most important exponents of early expressionism and the first known female artist to paint nude self-portraits. Monica Sjöö (77) is the precursor of the Goddess movement art. Beatrice Wood is considered the "grandmother" of Dada. Judithe Hernandez (94) was one of the founding members and the only female artist of the Chicano Art/Los Angeles Mural movements. She was also a member of "Los Four," a groundbreaking Chicano artist collective.
Beyond being pioneers, some of these women artists are considered the greatest. Such as Yayoi Kusmana (4) is one of the most accomplished artists of our time, with sold-out exhibitions around the world (yes, Andy Warhol copied her pattern installation). Sofonisba Anguissola (8) is one of the most famous and successful professional artists of the 1500s. Alice Neel (12) is regarded as one of the best portrait artists of the last century. Amrita Sher-Gill (30) is one of the greatest avant-garde modernists and pioneer Indian artists. Toko Shinoda (31) was declared by Time Magazine a "trailblazer accomplished artist analogous to Picasso." Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller (40) worked alongside Rodin with international acclamation for her sculptures, and she is remembered as one of the most creative artists of her time. Harriet Powers (44) is considered one of the best exponents of the North American southern quilting movement of the 19th century. Agnes Martin (57) and Lois Malou Jones are acclaimed as "great artists" for their work. Mary Edmonia Lewis (63) is among the 100 Greatest African American artists. Maud Lewis (64) is one of Canada's best-known folk artists. Artemisa Gentileschi (74) is one of the most important painters of the 1600s. Jessie Wilcox Smith (75) is one of the greatest illustrators of her time. Miss Van (82) is recognized as one of the top and most famous exponents of street art artists.
"It is a crime to be a woman and have talent," Maria Izquierdo (13) was quoted in 1953. Regardless of their success, these women artists had to battle against oblivion, racism, discrimination, poverty, mental health issues, sexism, and sometimes all of these at once. One of the best examples is Hilma Af Klimt (1); convinced that the world was not ready to see her artworks, she stipulated that her work could only be seen twenty years after her death. But it was not until 1986 that Hilma's work was finally caught, and it took another thirty years to get the recognition she deserved. Selma Burke (39) never received proper credit for her portrait of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, which is now found on the U.S. dime. Camille Claudel (3) confronted the powerful Rodin accusing him of stealing some of her works and sizing her studio when they ended their "scandalous" love affair. After her father's death, who was the only one in the family who supported her artistic career, her religious fanatic brother confined Camille to a mental institution for the rest of her life. Frida Kahlo (5) lived with excruciating pain and had several surgeries due to a motor accident. That pain inspired most of her paintings. Yayoi Kusama (8) worked tirelessly and in solitary for most of her life until her work was finally recognized. After a mental breakdown, Yayoi went to live at a mental institution, where she resides to this day. Her studio is just blocked away. Despite her international success, Violeta Parra (14) struggled with poverty and never received the proper recognition or the support she deserved in her country, a disdain she paid with her life by committing suicide at 49 years old. Clementine Hunter (33) lived at the Melrose Plantation since age 15 and spent much of her life picking cotton. She never learned to read or write and sold her first painting for 25 cents. Now her work is worth thousands of dollars at art galleries. Despite her innumerable accomplishments and being regarded as one of the most creative artists of her generation, Meta Vaux Warrick's (40) works are hardly known. Harriet Powers (44) was born into slavery and struggled with poverty, but that did not stop her from being an artist. Nahui Olin (45) is mainly known as the muse of Mexican artists, even though she was a multi-talented artist who produced an enormous amount of poetry and paintings for over 20 years. Valie EXPORT (46) was denounced as a "witch" in her country due to her "provocative and feminist" work. Augusta Savage (51) struggled all her life against discrimination due to her skin color. For instance, after winning a summer scholarship for an art program outside Paris, the school withdrew the invitation when it learned that Augusta was an African American artist. And unfortunately, few of her sculptures remain because she could afford to cast them only in plaster. Although she also won prestigious awards and fellowships in Europe, her undeniable influence in the 20th century as an African American woman sculpturist remains limited in recognition. Louise Nevelson (53) left her husband and comfortable life for a life of struggle to make art. Without resources, she started by collecting discarded items to create her sculptures. Agnes Martin (57) struggled to sell her work due to her highly detailed minimalistic paintings that made them difficult to print. Agnes was a lesbian, which was illegal at that time. As a result, she was diagnosed with a mental illness, hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital, and treated with electroshock. One night, after being accused of poisoning two white women while studying at Obelin College in Ohio, Mary Edmonia Lewis (63) was dragged out of her home into an open field, where she was severely beaten and left for dead. Maud Lewis (64) had severe health issues, suffering birth defects that deformed her fingers and shoulders. She lived most of her adult life in a one-room house without running water or electricity. Artemisa Gentileschi (74) was raped by her art teacher. When her father pressed charges, Artemisa was tortured to demonstrate to the court that she was truthful. Although Ruth Miller Kempster (80) had many accomplishments, such as winning a silver medal at the Los Angeles Olympics for her art piece in 1953 and producing art continuously throughout her life, she fell into oblivion. She had her last solo show 20 years before her death. Maria Martinez (32), Evelyn Pultara (34), Rebecca Tabibe (37), Queenie Mckenzie (48), and Minnie Pwerle (94) are all native women, and even though they are from different parts of the world, they have encountered the discrimination and challenges of being native women.
Lastly, I could not leave out of this Patchwork the first woman artist I ever knew, my mother, Amanda Unzueta (100). She taught me by example that art is a way of life, turning my childhood into an open field of creativity and mixed media arts. Embroidering, painting, re-purposing, knitting, cooking, gardening, sewing, listening to music, loving books, and reading was all part of a creative life. And for that, Mom, I am forever grateful. I also could not leave out my paternal grandmother, Marta Barrios (99). She was denied the dream of becoming a professional artist the day my great-grandfather took her out of her first art class and told her that marriage was her only path. But after many years, my grandma finally achieved her dream and installed her studio in front of the kitchen. It is indelible in my memory of her going back and forth, from the kitchen to her studio, in between brush strokes and stirring the soup. She also realized her dream and took art classes despite my grandfather's incessant protests, who sometimes even followed her to her classes. Her first art classes were also mine, too. Thank you, grandma.
The selection process for these women artists was straightforward: they are my all-time favorites. Some have been my favorites for many years, others for months, but all are my favorites. They are my Heroines. The radical women that I look up to, my copilots. This Patchwork is the direct result of a lifetime search for feminine visibility in the arts. The first acclaimed woman artist that I came to know was my fellow compatriot Violeta Parra; soon after came Camille Claudel, Frida Kahlo, and Tina Modotti. Even though it has been more than 30 years since then, the results of knowing them were forever lasting because something happens when women's stories are visible. This Patchwork is an invitation to become passionate about women artists by reading about them and attending as many exhibitions as possible. Finally, my most fervent lasting impression resulting from this Patchwork is that all these women artists faced, one way or another, substantial roadblocks. But the indelible thread that unites them is the passion for their craft: art was the burning center of their lives.
Photo by Monailtd
7. Georgia O'Keeffe 8. Sofonisba Anguissola 9. Lavinia Fontana
Beyond being pioneers, some of these women artists are considered the greatest. Such as Yayoi Kusmana (4) is one of the most accomplished artists of our time, with sold-out exhibitions around the world (yes, Andy Warhol copied her pattern installation). Sofonisba Anguissola (8) is one of the most famous and successful professional artists of the 1500s. Alice Neel (12) is regarded as one of the best portrait artists of the last century. Amrita Sher-Gill (30) is one of the greatest avant-garde modernists and pioneer Indian artists. Toko Shinoda (31) was declared by Time Magazine a "trailblazer accomplished artist analogous to Picasso." Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller (40) worked alongside Rodin with international acclamation for her sculptures, and she is remembered as one of the most creative artists of her time. Harriet Powers (44) is considered one of the best exponents of the North American southern quilting movement of the 19th century. Agnes Martin (57) and Lois Malou Jones are acclaimed as "great artists" for their work. Mary Edmonia Lewis (63) is among the 100 Greatest African American artists. Maud Lewis (64) is one of Canada's best-known folk artists. Artemisa Gentileschi (74) is one of the most important painters of the 1600s. Jessie Wilcox Smith (75) is one of the greatest illustrators of her time. Miss Van (82) is recognized as one of the top and most famous exponents of street art artists.
"It is a crime to be a woman and have talent," Maria Izquierdo (13) was quoted in 1953. Regardless of their success, these women artists had to battle against oblivion, racism, discrimination, poverty, mental health issues, sexism, and sometimes all of these at once. One of the best examples is Hilma Af Klimt (1); convinced that the world was not ready to see her artworks, she stipulated that her work could only be seen twenty years after her death. But it was not until 1986 that Hilma's work was finally caught, and it took another thirty years to get the recognition she deserved. Selma Burke (39) never received proper credit for her portrait of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, which is now found on the U.S. dime. Camille Claudel (3) confronted the powerful Rodin accusing him of stealing some of her works and sizing her studio when they ended their "scandalous" love affair. After her father's death, who was the only one in the family who supported her artistic career, her religious fanatic brother confined Camille to a mental institution for the rest of her life. Frida Kahlo (5) lived with excruciating pain and had several surgeries due to a motor accident. That pain inspired most of her paintings. Yayoi Kusama (8) worked tirelessly and in solitary for most of her life until her work was finally recognized. After a mental breakdown, Yayoi went to live at a mental institution, where she resides to this day. Her studio is just blocked away. Despite her international success, Violeta Parra (14) struggled with poverty and never received the proper recognition or the support she deserved in her country, a disdain she paid with her life by committing suicide at 49 years old. Clementine Hunter (33) lived at the Melrose Plantation since age 15 and spent much of her life picking cotton. She never learned to read or write and sold her first painting for 25 cents. Now her work is worth thousands of dollars at art galleries. Despite her innumerable accomplishments and being regarded as one of the most creative artists of her generation, Meta Vaux Warrick's (40) works are hardly known. Harriet Powers (44) was born into slavery and struggled with poverty, but that did not stop her from being an artist. Nahui Olin (45) is mainly known as the muse of Mexican artists, even though she was a multi-talented artist who produced an enormous amount of poetry and paintings for over 20 years. Valie EXPORT (46) was denounced as a "witch" in her country due to her "provocative and feminist" work. Augusta Savage (51) struggled all her life against discrimination due to her skin color. For instance, after winning a summer scholarship for an art program outside Paris, the school withdrew the invitation when it learned that Augusta was an African American artist. And unfortunately, few of her sculptures remain because she could afford to cast them only in plaster. Although she also won prestigious awards and fellowships in Europe, her undeniable influence in the 20th century as an African American woman sculpturist remains limited in recognition. Louise Nevelson (53) left her husband and comfortable life for a life of struggle to make art. Without resources, she started by collecting discarded items to create her sculptures. Agnes Martin (57) struggled to sell her work due to her highly detailed minimalistic paintings that made them difficult to print. Agnes was a lesbian, which was illegal at that time. As a result, she was diagnosed with a mental illness, hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital, and treated with electroshock. One night, after being accused of poisoning two white women while studying at Obelin College in Ohio, Mary Edmonia Lewis (63) was dragged out of her home into an open field, where she was severely beaten and left for dead. Maud Lewis (64) had severe health issues, suffering birth defects that deformed her fingers and shoulders. She lived most of her adult life in a one-room house without running water or electricity. Artemisa Gentileschi (74) was raped by her art teacher. When her father pressed charges, Artemisa was tortured to demonstrate to the court that she was truthful. Although Ruth Miller Kempster (80) had many accomplishments, such as winning a silver medal at the Los Angeles Olympics for her art piece in 1953 and producing art continuously throughout her life, she fell into oblivion. She had her last solo show 20 years before her death. Maria Martinez (32), Evelyn Pultara (34), Rebecca Tabibe (37), Queenie Mckenzie (48), and Minnie Pwerle (94) are all native women, and even though they are from different parts of the world, they have encountered the discrimination and challenges of being native women.
Lastly, I could not leave out of this Patchwork the first woman artist I ever knew, my mother, Amanda Unzueta (100). She taught me by example that art is a way of life, turning my childhood into an open field of creativity and mixed media arts. Embroidering, painting, re-purposing, knitting, cooking, gardening, sewing, listening to music, loving books, and reading was all part of a creative life. And for that, Mom, I am forever grateful. I also could not leave out my paternal grandmother, Marta Barrios (99). She was denied the dream of becoming a professional artist the day my great-grandfather took her out of her first art class and told her that marriage was her only path. But after many years, my grandma finally achieved her dream and installed her studio in front of the kitchen. It is indelible in my memory of her going back and forth, from the kitchen to her studio, in between brush strokes and stirring the soup. She also realized her dream and took art classes despite my grandfather's incessant protests, who sometimes even followed her to her classes. Her first art classes were also mine, too. Thank you, grandma.
The selection process for these women artists was straightforward: they are my all-time favorites. Some have been my favorites for many years, others for months, but all are my favorites. They are my Heroines. The radical women that I look up to, my copilots. This Patchwork is the direct result of a lifetime search for feminine visibility in the arts. The first acclaimed woman artist that I came to know was my fellow compatriot Violeta Parra; soon after came Camille Claudel, Frida Kahlo, and Tina Modotti. Even though it has been more than 30 years since then, the results of knowing them were forever lasting because something happens when women's stories are visible. This Patchwork is an invitation to become passionate about women artists by reading about them and attending as many exhibitions as possible. Finally, my most fervent lasting impression resulting from this Patchwork is that all these women artists faced, one way or another, substantial roadblocks. But the indelible thread that unites them is the passion for their craft: art was the burning center of their lives.
Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?, Patchwork, 2019.
Hand-painted stencils with acrylic on a hand-painted utility fabric background.
Measures 6.25" feet x 5 feet
The Women Artists:
1. Hilma Af Klimt 2. Tina Modotti 3. Camille Claudel
4. Yayoi Kusama 5. Frida Kahlo 6. Tamara De Lempicka
7. Georgia O'Keeffe 8. Sofonisba Anguissola 9. Lavinia Fontana
10. Mary Cassatt 11. Elizabeth Cattlet 12. Alice Neel
13. Maria Izquierdo 14. Violeta Parra 15. Frances Benjamin Johnston
16. Shirin Neshat 17. Leonor Fini 18. Judy Dater
19. Remedios Varo 20. Shamisa Hassani 21. Louise Bourgeois
22. Alma Thomas 23. Romaine Brooks 24. Alison Saar
25. Betye Saar 26. Faith Ringgold 27. Ana Mendieta
28. Kara Walker 29. Billie Zangewa 30. Amrita Sher-Gil
31. Toko Shinoda 32. Maria Martinez 33. Clementine Hunter
34. Evelyn Pultara 35. Ruth Inge Hardison 36. Carrie Mae Weems
37. Rebecca Maybe 38. Yoko Ono 39. Selma Burke
40. Meta Vaux Warrick Fuller 41. Suzanne Valdon 42. Nellie Mae Rowe
43. Rosa Rolanda 44. Harriet Powers 45. Nahui Olin
46. Valie EXPORT 47. Kay Brown 48. Queenie Mckenzie
49. Dorothea Lange 50. Lenore Tawney 51. Augusta Savage
52. Eva Hesse 53. Louise Nevelson 54. Constance Stuart Larrabee
55. Gabriele Münter 56. Hannah Wilke 57. Agnes Martin
58. Lois Mailou Jones 59. Marisol Escobar 60. Mickalene Thomas
61. Rosa Bonheur 62. Marina Abramović 63. Mary Edmonia Lewis
64. Maud Lewis 65. Marie Laurencin 66. Karin Larsson
67. Emma Amos 68. Maud Wagner 69. Victoria Santa Cruz
70. Madge Gill 71. Teresa Burga 72. Ruth Asawa
73. Paula Modersohn-Becker 74. Artemisia Gentileschi 75. Jessie Willcox Smith
76. Hannah Höch 77. Monica Sjöö 78. Imogen Cunningham
79. Natalia Goncharova 80. Ruth Miller Kempster 81. Diane Arbus
82. Miss Van 83. Marie-Genève Bouliard 84. Tasha Tudor
85. Berthe Morisot 86. Toshiko Takaezu 87. Beatrice Wood
88. Pipilotti Rist 89. Sonia Delaunay 90. Elsa Von Freytag-Loringhoven
91. Clara Tice 92. Tracey Emin 93. Helen Lundeberg
94. Minnie Pwerle 95. Judithe Hernandez 96. Vivian F. Stringfield
97. Homai Vyrawalla 98. Juanita Guccione 99. Marta Barrios
100. Amanda Unzueta 101. Celia Calderón 102. Leonora Carrington
103. Dorothea Tannin 104. Sylvia Fein 105. Aurora Reyes
Read my blog for some of the Bibliography.
