Current:Home > ScamsThe National Museum of Women in the Arts relaunches-InfoLens
The National Museum of Women in the Arts relaunches
View Date:2024-12-23 11:31:39
It's been more than two years and almost $70 million, but at long last the National Museum of Women in the Arts, in Washington, D.C., is relaunching. When this museum opened in 1987, it was the first in the world devoted exclusively to art made by women.
An independent, non-profit organization, it was the vision, explained museum director Susan Fisher, of one woman: Wilhelmina Cole Holladay, a philanthropist and collector in Washington. "She had studied art history, and she was very much interested in the concept of beauty, which she talked about all the time," said Sterling.
It was on a trip to Europe in the 1970s with her husband, Wallace, when Holladay became fascinated by the work of 16th century Flemish painter Clara Peeters, and wanted to learn more about her. But when Holladay returned home, "She could not find Clara Peeters," Sterling said. "And what she realized also was there was not a single woman artist in that history textbook that was used across every university in the U.S. at the time."
So, the Holladays started collecting works made by women, eventually joining with other like-minded enthusiasts to purchase an abandoned building that had once been the D.C. headquarters of the Masons (where, ironically, women were not allowed).
And according to Sterling, the museum was controversial from the start: "Because men critics didn't like the fact that there was such a museum, and the same could be said for many men artists. But also, it was controversial because sometimes, women felt that they didn't want to be segregated in a museum just for women. I think we've essentially beat that rap, if you will."
From 1987: The gala opening of the National Museum of Women in the Arts:
The museum, which has about 6,000 objects in its collection, has raised the profile of women artists. Curator Kathryn Wat showed "Sunday Morning" around the museum's newly-imagined galleries – brighter, airier, and brimming with stunning works, like "Young Woman in Mauve" by Impressionist painter Berthe Morisot, who's often received less attention than her male counterparts.
And "The Springs" by expressionist Lee Krasner, often referred to as Jackson Pollack's wife.
Braver asked, "What's wrong with that?"
"Everything's wrong with that," Wat replied. "Because Krasner was as talented as her very famous husband."
Today the museum is packed with works by women who have gained international renown, including photographers Berenice Abbott and Mary Ellen Mark; painters Georgia O'Keeffe and Amy Sherald; potter Maria Martinez; and multi-media artists Judy Chicago and Niki de Saint Phalle.
"It's wonderful to come into the space and know that all of this work is made by women," said artist Alison Saar. "It's just really incredible to see the breadth of the work."
Saar makes prints and sculptures that focus on her biracial background, and much more: "I'm very interested in women and their lives, and how we function within the world and even within our own world," she said.
Saar's recent sculpture "Undone" is now on display: An elegant woman wearing a lovely dress that cloaks closed-up bottles, representing her dreams. "Women were never, maybe, given the opportunity to be who they wanted to be … aspirations that maybe never will [manifest]. But I mean, they're still there. I don't want to be too dark! But you know, yeah, it's just reality."
The sculpture exhibit called "The Sky Is the Limit" features works like "Lady of Commerce," by Rina Banerjee, an American born in Kolkata, India. Wat said, "It's about colonialism and the impact of colonialism in terms of history. What are the forces that drive business? What are the forces that drive politics?"
In fact, over the years gender politics and protests by women artists have helped make a difference, with more women artists being exhibited in major museums around the country.
So, Braver, asked, "Do you really still need a place like this?"
"Oh, I think so," Wat replied. "Because I think this museum, for almost the past 40 years, has had a tremendous impact in getting that conversation going and keeping it going. So, while we're thrilled that other art institutions are now picking up the mantle with us, we all need to keep the effort moving forward. There's a lot of work to be done."
For more info:
- National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, D.C.
- Sculptor Alison Saar on Instagram
Produced by Sara Kugel and Julie Kracov. Editor: Chad Cardin.
veryGood! (4714)
Related
- West Virginia governor-elect Morrisey to be sworn in mid-January
- A Hong Kong court convicts 2 journalists in a landmark sedition case
- Loran Cole executed in murder of Florida State University student whose sister was raped
- How to get rid of body odor, according to medical experts
- Insurance magnate pleads guilty as government describes $2B scheme
- Health officials in Wisconsin, Illinois report 3 West Nile virus deaths
- Best Deals Under $50 from Nordstrom’s Labor Day Sale 2024: Save Up to 75% on Free People, Madewell & More
- The Daily Money: Is the 'starter home' still a thing?
- 32-year-old Maryland woman dies after golf cart accident
- Scooter Braun jokes he wasn't invited to Taylor Swift's party: 'Laugh a little'
Ranking
- New York nursing home operator accused of neglect settles with state for $45M
- Texas inmate is exonerated after spending nearly 34 years in prison for wrongful conviction
- Federal authorities announce additional arrests in multistate pharmacy burglary ring
- SEC to release player availability reports as a sports-betting safeguard
- 'Red One' review: Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans embark on a joyless search for Santa
- Why Black students are still disciplined at higher rates: Takeaways from AP’s report
- Chelsea Handler on her new Las Vegas residency, today's political moment and her dog Doug
- After diversity pushback, some faculty feel left in dark at North Carolina’s flagship university
Recommendation
-
Megan Fox Is Pregnant, Expecting Baby With Machine Gun Kelly
-
How many points did Caitlin Clark score today? Fever star sets another WNBA rookie record
-
The US Appetite for Electricity Grew Massively in the First Half of 2024, and Solar Power Rose to the Occasion
-
FIFA aims for the perfect pitch at 2026 World Cup following fields called a disaster at Copa America
-
Charles Hanover: Caution, Bitcoin May Be Entering a Downward Trend!
-
2 men plead not guilty to killing former ‘General Hospital’ actor Johnny Wactor
-
Steelers name Russell Wilson starting QB in long-awaited decision
-
Fix toilets, grow plants, call home: Stuck astronauts have 'constant to-do list'