When I first strolled by Ghada Amer's huge canvases with acrylic paint and embroidery at the Elizabeth Sackler Center for Feminist Art last weekend, I just took a casual look--the string seemed to hang like so many spider webs chaotically snuggled into a long-abandon cabin wall. But when I moved closer, really focused my eyes--like one of those Magic Eye things I never seem to be able to do--I discovered that I was looking at intricate, erotic images of naked women, repeated over and over in your grandmother's own craft.
That's not all this Egyptian multi-media artist does. She takes photographs, paints, sculpts, even does installations in college cafeterias.
If you're not in the New York area, I suggest you check out links to her work here. If you are, you have no excuse not to make it to the Sackler Center on your next free Saturday and be ridiculously inspired/amazed/impressed. If Judy Chicago's Dinner Party is property of the 70s feminist art movement, I want third wave dibs on Ghada Amer. (She was born in 1963, so it might be pushing the generational envelope?!).
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Why the need to constantly separate feminists into neat little categories? Women have been fighting for equality since way before the suffragettes (just look at the Romans}. First, Second, and Third are neither first, second nor third, but rather what? millionth, bazillionth or whatever.
I don't think you can claim someone you wouldn't allow to be a third wave feminist anyway. I don't think Judy Chicago wants to be limited as the property of anything, any more than the rest of us do.
Yeah, I just saw her stuff when I went to see the Murakami show. Amazing (both were, actuall)
I went to see an artist talk that she gave this year at Kendall College. She was absolutely incredible in person and her work is pretty much amazing.
At the time, I also thought it was strange that the pillars of society in Grand Rapids didn't throw a shit-fit over it.
First off, in Courtney's defense, while I'm definitely all about ALL feminists of EVERY generation claiming feminism as a "perma-wave," it's also silly to act as if different generations don't experience the world differently BECAUSE of the successes/debates of each successive wave of feminism. However, I would rather argue for the "wave" label to address ERAS rather the PEOPLE. (So, in my book -Pin-Up Grrrls- I argue that we are IN the "third wave" of feminism...which we're all living through TOGETHER, regardless of our individual ages.)
Secondly...I actually happen to ADDRESS some of these very issues in MY CATALOG ESSAY ON GHADA, which I wrote for her last big exhibition at Gagosian Gallery in Chelsea! The catalog is sold out, and out of print...but you can read an online version on my teaching website: http://www.mariabuszek.com/kcai/Amer_Pleasure.htm
And, finally...HATS OFF TO MAURA REILLY, the curator of the Sackler Center, for putting on another excellent, provocative show. Side-by-side with Judy Chicago's -Dinner Party-, which resides right there at the center! (All co-existing peacefully in the present...!)
also check out the essay i wrote for ghada amer's catalogue for her exhibition last spring at the museum of contemporary art in rome (macro). the title of the essay is 'navigating marked territory; or how to live happily ever after'. not sure how well the book is distributed in the u.s.a. but those interested may be able to order it online from the publisher, electa (in milan).
I was born 1966 and I do not feel young enough to be in the "3rd wave" of feminism.
At least that is the feeling I get when participating in any online community that is predominantly made up of women in their 20's- 30's.
I am a feminist and an artist.
I think the artist profiled in this post likely identifies as a feminist, so we can all share some pride.
I participated in a group show Judy Chicago curated with an artist who is almost a decade older than me...I didn't feel any wave gap.
The art world doesn't seem break us up into waves.
In fact, I only seem to hear about the "waves of feminism"
in academic settings and on blogs run by women under 40. It often wreaks of agism. Other times, it has more to do with not feeling credited or respected (by elders) who paved the way. It certainly doesn't feel inclusive...it's often ugly.
Can we stop it, please? We all have much to be grateful to the feminists who fought the good fight before we were born. We have much to be grateful to the feminists who will continue the fight, making worldwide changes happen.
I'm sure if you asked her, Judy Chicago would say that her art is for every generation of feminism.