Power of Feminist Art [Paperback]

Norma Broude (Author), Mary D. Garrard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1996

Since its inception nearly 25 years ago the Feminist Art movement has presented a challenge to mainstream modernism that has radically transformed the art world. In The Power of Feminist Art, coeditors Norma Broude and Mary D. Garrard, professors of art history at The American University in Washington, D.C., bring together many of the influential art historians, critics, and artists who participated in the events of the 1970s. Together, they have created this landmark volume, the first history and analysis documenting this fertile and dynamic period of artistic growth. We learn about the first feminist art education programs, with artists Judy Chicago and Miriam Schapiro helping to lay the foundation; about the now legendary Womanhouse project; and about such banner exhibitions as "Women Artists: 1550-1950, " organized in 1976 by art historians Linda Nochlin and Ann Sutherland Harris. We follow the development of the movement as seen in the various feminist organizations, networks, exhibitions, and publications it generated; and most particularly in the emergence of feminist art. Performance art, social protest and public art, and collaboration; exploration of such formerly taboo aesthetic areas as "Pattern and Decoration"; and subjects such as divinity and the body viewed from female perspectives are among the multiple aspects of the Feminist Art movement. The last section of the book traces the ups and downs of the movement, as experienced through the backlash of the 1980s and the resurgence of women's issues in the 1990s. Uncompromising, probing, thoughtful, and as provocative and exciting as the period itself, The Power of Feminist Art is an immensely stunning book. Reproductions ofhundreds of works of feminist art from the 1970s and beyond - by such artists as Judith Baca, Harmony Hammond, Joyce Kozloff, Barbara Kruger, Ana Mendieta, Alice Neel, Faith Ringgold, Betye Saar, Miriam Schapiro, Cindy Sherman, Nancy Spero, May Stevens, and Hannah Wilke - and the

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Available in paperback for the first time, this landmark volume is the only comprehensive history of American feminist art available. Exhaustively researched, this book is encyclopedic in its documentation of the feminist art movement, which began more than 25 years ago in the United States, and that ultimately transformed the art world. The editors have brought together 18 influential art historians, critics, and artists to explore every aspect of feminist art. There are more than 270 illustrations (118 in full color) that feature the work of women painters, sculptors, photographers, and performance artists, and a fold-out, illustrated timeline presenting a selective chronology of important events in and surrounding the movement, from its earliest roots in the 1940s to the mid-1990s.

From Publishers Weekly

Collection of essays exploring various aspects of the feminist art movement.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Harry N. Abrams (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810926598
• ISBN-13: 978-0810926592
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #238,795 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The Phaidon Press Book is Better, May 19, 2005

By 

Jokie X Wilson "jokiex" (San Francisco, California United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Power of Feminist Art (Paperback)

The quality of the art covered in this book is highly uneven and many of the theories are terribly dated by today's standards. I get the impression that it was written more to promote the friends of the authors than to give an objective view of Feminist art. The Phaidon Press book, Art and Feminism (Themes & Movements), is MUCH better to the point that I am almost embarrassed to compare the two books.

There is a school of Feminist research that seems to equate technical accomplishment with patriarchy which conveniently allows mediocre art to seem quite important. Overall, the art in this book lacks guts, although some of it is good. Since it is no longer the only book of its type, get it only if you want to round off your collection. Otherwise, stick with the Phaidon Press book to which this one merely pales in comparrison.

11 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Essential Art History Book, August 21, 2003

By 

Alexis Herrera (Houston,TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Power of Feminist Art (Paperback)

This is currently my favorite art book. This is great collection of the artwork produced by female artists during the women's movement in the 70's and 80's. This book also chronicles this art movement and it effect on the 80's and very early 90's. Including many articles and thorough documentation of artwork this book is a smart look the amazing art that women created.
This book is essential to truly understand modern art history.