Women and Art: Contested Territory

Judy Chicago, feminist and more importantly, artist, colaborates a book with author and art critic, Edward Lucie Smith (Symbolist Art), on the history of women artist and women in art. In a world like today, one might not understand the detest Degas had for women in some of his works (women bathing) which were to be women in humiliating situations. Or some of Picasso's pieces, (unless you know his history with women). These and other "masterpieces" are applauded for their medium, composition, color, while the underlining message seems to get absorbed innocently into our society. Judy Chicago brutally points these out and makes us face perhaps how art could have had played a negative part in women in society throughout history. I've enjoyed reading about the different feminist art that was happening at the age I was jumping rope. To have been a part of this would have been revolutionary. I thank all the women who've used their artisitc abilities to express the injustices women have been (and are currently) faced with. I did, however, need to remove the jacket cover from this book. I'm not sure it this was meant to be ironic, but it deffinately sparked the curiousity of my ten year old son...

Judy Chicago and Edward Lucie-Smith's Women In Art considers why so much art by women finds so little public recognition. From images chosen by female artists to how men portray and perceive women's works, this provides an important study by an artist and art historian who select and analyze images of women by both male and female artists from throughout Western art history.