By Karen M. Gutfreund, Artist, Activist and Curator
Karen M. Gutfreund is an artist and curator with a focus on “Art as Activism”. She is also a partner at GutfreundCornett. To date she has created over forty national exhibitions with self-identified women artists, on feminist and social justice themes.
Karen’s current exhibition titled “Agency: Feminist Art and Power” is being held at The Museum of Sonoma County (MSC), January 22 through June 5, 2022.
She states, “The ‘Agency: Feminist Art and Power’ exhibition features the strong, unapologetic, intersectional voices of twenty-eight feminist and non-binary artists from the iconic Guerrilla Girls to emerging and museum collected artists.”
We are proud to announce that Karen served on the Manhattan Arts International Special Recognition Art Awards Panel for our “HerStory” 2019 exhibition. When we learned about her important curatorial project we asked her to provide this article. We are honored and delighted to share it with you in coordination with our “HerStory” 2022 exhibition.
Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, The Long Shadow (2015), oil and acrylic on canvas, 60″ x 40″. From the Collection of Accola Griefen. As one of the exhibiting artists in this exhibition Jaune Quick-to-See Smith creates work that addresses current issues facing Native Americans such as the destruction of the environment, and governmental oppression of native cultures.
In collaboration with The Feminist Art Project, I chose these works for the rich, lyrical, and compelling stories the artists tell, and to provide an opportunity to explore new ideas, increase awareness, and encourage dialogue surrounding woman in contemporary culture. Using both humor and righteous anger as tools against oppression—personal or institutional, the works speak to and validate the female and non-binary experience. These artists have dedicated their practice to feminist and social justice art to share their individual message through their dynamic works.
Martha Wilson, beauty is in the eye (2014), pigmented ink print on canson rag photographique. Edition 5/5 + 2AP, 16″ x 24″. Courtesy of the Artist and P.P.O.W. New York. Martha Wilson, who uses self-portraits to create witty observations on beauty and aging.
Additional artists in this exhibition include: Rosemary Meza-DesPlas, who depicts anger as a useful tool against oppression, personal and institutional, and an unwillingness to remain silent; Ceciley Wilson’s photographs address Black women’s empowerment using Maya Angelou’s poem “And Still I Rise” as inspiration towards liberation; Ria Brodell, a non-binary trans artist, addresses society’s strictly prescribed gender roles and the queer experience.
Mickalene Thomas, All She Wants to Do is Dance (Fran) (2009), rhinestones, acrylic on enamel wood panel, 120″ x 95.75″. Green Family Art Foundation, courtesy of Adam Green Art Advisory. Mickalene Thomas’ work explores claiming authority, the “gaze”, and the power in Black female beauty.
Sawyer Rose’s work uses data visualization to explore women’s work inequities; Sonya Kelliher-Combs, an Alaskan Native American, addresses sexual abuse and rape against women, and the struggle for self-definition and identity; Joan Semmel’s large nude paintings are portrayals of sexual empowerment from a woman’s point of view; Winnie van der Rijn’s shredded men’s work shirts are an examination and deconstruction of patriarchal power.
Art critic and activist, Lucy Lippard said “Feminist art is neither a style nor a movement but rather a value system, a revolutionary strategy, a way of life” and Agency explores important contemporary issues that affect not just women and the LGBTQI community, but all of us as global citizens.
It challenges the social, political, cultural, and economic thinking that supports hegemonic, patriarchal misogyny in opposing any system where one group can claim power over another to marginalize or silence them.
These thought-provoking works speak to the issues of women’s rights, power, and ‘agency’ to provide a powerful, transformational experience in how we see ourselves, each other, and society.
The Museum of Sonoma County (MSC) engages and inspires diverse populations of our region and beyond through art and history exhibitions, access to collections, and public programs that are inclusive, educational, and relevant to local, state, and national audiences.
To learn more about “Agency: Feminist Art and Power” visit karengutfreund.com/portfolio/agency-feminist-art-and-power
Great job Karen! Again….