THEME 7
GENDER
WHAT IS GENDER?
• Is not only the biological division of sexes but also a cultural and social classification of masculinity and
femininity – distinguishes the attributes associated that both possess
• Awareness begins with infancy and is reinforced during adolescence – how it is portrayed in art is defined by
sexual and social identity
• Historically most societies had a patriarchal view where men dominate and act as “superior” to women
• This fight to understand gender was identified when women fought for equal rights - this led to a broader
investigation of gender issues
• Studies on homosexuality, heterosexuality, masculinity and femininity are looked at in a historical context
GENDER STEREITYPES
Simplistic generalizations about gender attributes, differences and roles of different groups – can be positive or
negative but rarely communicate accurate information.
- Male stereotype can be a financial provider (assertive and competitive)
- Female stereotype is to get married and have children (must be loving and caring)
Some gender stereotypes can be harmful or suppress individual expression and creativity
OVERVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL FEMALE ARTISTS
Past centuries art was seen as preoccupation of men and only a hobby for women – with the emancipation of
women, female artists have progressively come to the foreground.
FRIDA KAHLO
Mexican artist (1907-1954) – portrayed her personal life and history that is directly
portrayed in her art – at the age of 18 she was involved in a road accident when the bus she
travelled on collided with a tram. Her works show her physical and mental suffering - There
is also a cruelty in her paintings – depicting her birth, operations and abortions with a
dreamlike coarseness - Like a visual diary, she paints her history, physical, emotional and
spiritual life – she became a cult figure and feminist heroine – admired by her refusal to let
great physical suffering crush her spirit and didn’t interfere with her art or political activities
– before Frida, Western art wasn’t used to seeing implicit images of childbirth or
miscarriage. FRIDA KAHLO, “THE BORKEN COLUMN”, 1944, OIL ON CANVAS
FEMINIST ART
Part of the feminist movement of the late-60’s and 1970’s the women artists protested for equal gender rights –
used militant tactics to express their ideas – feminist artists has been one of the most powerful forces.
A strong sense of exploration of female concerns – opposition to the so-called traditional male-dominant art
THE GUERILLA GIRLS
Anonymous group of feminists – they formed in 1985 in
response to the Museum of Modern Arts exhibition
where of 169 artists only 17 were women – expressed
this through posters – attached something
conventionally ugly to what is portrayed in art. There
are more artworks of naked women than there are
actual female artists in the MET
GENDER
WHAT IS GENDER?
• Is not only the biological division of sexes but also a cultural and social classification of masculinity and
femininity – distinguishes the attributes associated that both possess
• Awareness begins with infancy and is reinforced during adolescence – how it is portrayed in art is defined by
sexual and social identity
• Historically most societies had a patriarchal view where men dominate and act as “superior” to women
• This fight to understand gender was identified when women fought for equal rights - this led to a broader
investigation of gender issues
• Studies on homosexuality, heterosexuality, masculinity and femininity are looked at in a historical context
GENDER STEREITYPES
Simplistic generalizations about gender attributes, differences and roles of different groups – can be positive or
negative but rarely communicate accurate information.
- Male stereotype can be a financial provider (assertive and competitive)
- Female stereotype is to get married and have children (must be loving and caring)
Some gender stereotypes can be harmful or suppress individual expression and creativity
OVERVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL FEMALE ARTISTS
Past centuries art was seen as preoccupation of men and only a hobby for women – with the emancipation of
women, female artists have progressively come to the foreground.
FRIDA KAHLO
Mexican artist (1907-1954) – portrayed her personal life and history that is directly
portrayed in her art – at the age of 18 she was involved in a road accident when the bus she
travelled on collided with a tram. Her works show her physical and mental suffering - There
is also a cruelty in her paintings – depicting her birth, operations and abortions with a
dreamlike coarseness - Like a visual diary, she paints her history, physical, emotional and
spiritual life – she became a cult figure and feminist heroine – admired by her refusal to let
great physical suffering crush her spirit and didn’t interfere with her art or political activities
– before Frida, Western art wasn’t used to seeing implicit images of childbirth or
miscarriage. FRIDA KAHLO, “THE BORKEN COLUMN”, 1944, OIL ON CANVAS
FEMINIST ART
Part of the feminist movement of the late-60’s and 1970’s the women artists protested for equal gender rights –
used militant tactics to express their ideas – feminist artists has been one of the most powerful forces.
A strong sense of exploration of female concerns – opposition to the so-called traditional male-dominant art
THE GUERILLA GIRLS
Anonymous group of feminists – they formed in 1985 in
response to the Museum of Modern Arts exhibition
where of 169 artists only 17 were women – expressed
this through posters – attached something
conventionally ugly to what is portrayed in art. There
are more artworks of naked women than there are
actual female artists in the MET
