Existing comment:
When most people imagine an artist, they likely envision the mythical artist genius, who is almost always male and white, furiously laboring over a painting. This heroic idea has been preserved both within the art world and spread to society at large. If creative labor is publicized, it is usually done so to uphold the idea of the mythical artist genius. As a result, it has become the perception that most of. history's memorable artworks transcend the messiness of the studio. For female artists that are already systemically underrepresented in the art world-from galleries to museums to academia- this false impression of creative labor adds to the lack of understanding and appreciation they receive.
Still life is a genre that depicts carefully posed objects, traditionally flower arrangements in vases or bowls of fruit. By their nature, still lifes offer a unique view into the studio and the artistic production that takes place there. Similarly, studio works and other interior scenes allow us to peek behind the curtain to see the reality of the artmaking process. In this exhibition, made up entirely of works from the American University Museum collection, female artists (and one male collaborator) have created artwork that pushed their artistry to the forefront, exploring the ways in which space, identity, and labor intersect. When we consider these works inside out, using artistic production as the first step in interpreting these paintings, photographs, and prints, we can better understand how artists see the world around them, and in doing so, better understand the artists themselves.
Sarah Leary, Curator |