Above, is Helianthus, my entry for our Cutting Edge Exhibit, "Off Kilter" in San Luis Obispo opening on December 4th. at the San Luis Obispo Art Museum at 1010 Broad Street. On December 5th, from 2 to 3 pm I will be giving a 30 minute presentation about art quilts followed by a walk-through of the 19 quilts in our exhibit, explaining artist intent, materials used, etc. The reception will be from 3 to 5 pm.
I've been putting a lot of thought into the power point and presentation for my 'art talk.' It's difficult enough for any talented artist to make their living from art sales alone, let alone a female artist, and add to that one who is a 'quilt' artist, whatever that might be. There has been a distinction made between 'fine art' and craft or decorative art since medieval times, with craft art viewed as being inferior to fine art. Women also have not received a fair shake in the art world, or for that matter, in any other world. In the 60's and 70's as part of the second wave of feminism, female artists like ceramics artist, Judy Chicago, and Miriam Schapiro began the Feminist Art Program in Valencia California at the California Institute of Arts. Faith Wilding, one of the students created a room-size crocheted 'womb' environment. She used crocheting, traditionally a woman's art/hobby to create a non-utilitarian art installation. The show drew a lot of attention to fiber art and women's art.
In 1971 there was a major show of quilts entitled, "Abstract Design in America Quilts,' curated by Jonathan Holstein and Gail van der Hoof, for the Whitney Modern Art Museum in New York City. It was the first time quilts received international recognition as art. Although there was some controversy over the quilts they chose for the exhibit, women's fiber art finally received national exposure.
As of 2012, only 13 of 169 artists on display in New York's Museum of Modern Art are female. Something to think about. Remember the Virginia Slims commercials of the sixties and early seventies, stating, "You've come a long way baby?" Have we?
