Today I got an email newsletter I subscribe to. It was an article copied with permission from another blogger. It was about creative work with an interesting point of view, and I’m all in for that.
Until the references and quotes came in, at least half a dozen, maybe more (I quit reading halfway through) because…
All of them were from men.
I’ve seen this pattern before when guys write about art and art making. Yes, there are many many famous male artists in many different fields. But this is a trigger for me, especially in these modern times.
One, because growing up, I only saw/heard of/read about male artists.
Second, because in my art history classes in college, 98% of the artists we studied were men. In Janson’s History of Art, a extremely popular art history textbook, no women artists were featured until the 1986 edition. When three…THREE…women were added. (Apparently Janson did not consider women to be ‘real artists’, and that only changed after he died, when his son took over.) Mary Cassat wasn’t mentioned for years, because she was a “domestic artist”, painting women and their children. (Um…so what is The Pieta??)
Third, as a stay-at-home mom in a new town with no friends or family present, I had very little time to make my creative work for years. And it was considered “craft” because (duh), I don’t paint. (Fortunately, I did finally find my way.) My creation story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=gfnnPL7LeQw
I remember years later, looking at a possible studio space to rent, where the manager and the current resident showed me the space and one asked what art I made. I told him, “I make artifacts inspired by prehistoric cave art, and use them in my fiber wall hangings and jewelry.” A few minutes later, one guy mentioned another local artist, and the other guy said, “Yeah, he’s a REAL artist!” I was so stunned, I couldn’t even speak.
And now we know that in the Ice Age period of cave art, most (perhaps all?) of the shamans/artists were…..women.
I don’t hate all men. A lot of men are great artists, philosophers, spiritualists, etc.
But I hope someday, people–especially men!–realize that there are also plenty of women artists, philosphers, spiritualists, worthy of mention and worthy of being quoted. And also plenty of talented, passionate people who identify with both/neither/the other gender.
Fercryinoutloud, how about a touch of equality, compassion, and support for our modern audience???
Sorry, but if you can’t pull up one woman worth quoting, (or at least a guy of color), I’m pretty sure you are not going to be my favorite source for wisdom and insight.
I’m going to go lie down in a dark room now.
Luann Udell 