Field Trip - We Wanted a Revolution
Today is the 2018 Women's March, which feels like an appropriate day to discuss an exhibition that is celebrating women. Last weekend, a couple of my friends and I went to see "We Wanted a Revolution: Balck Radical Women, 1965-85" at the California African American Museum. Unfortunately, we were only able to make it out during its final weekend so it is now closed. Sorry! Even though the exhibit is closed, I still wanted to discuss a few of my favorite works and would encourage a google search to view other works by these artists.
The exhibition focused on nearly 40 female artists and activists working in the U.S. during the Black Power, Civil Rights, and Women's movements of the 60's, 70's and 80's. In a world that has marginalized female artists for centuries, especially female artists of color, it was incredible to have an exhibition solely focused on voices that often go unheard. The work these artists created reflects the profound social change that was occurring and an intersection between activism and art.
Here are three of my favorite works:
Jae Jarrell was a fashion designer and co-founder of the Black Arts Movement called AfriCOBRA (African Commune of Bad Relevant Artists). Through her work, Jarrell wanted to exalt the black families and culture. Jarrell would wear this piece in her daily life, which I think, creates an interesting way of asserting her stance.
Simpson's Waterbearer explores how women's stories are undermined and ignored. Like the majority of the works in the exhibit, this piece is still eerily relevant today. This work reminds me of why we have the "Me Too" and "Times Up" movements today because for too long women have felt ignored or unable to speak out.
Catlett created Target after a member of the Black Panthers was killed by Chicago police. Catlett was expressing her feelings towards police brutality through this dynamic piece of work. This was my favorite art piece of the exhibition. Without knowing any background, the tile and work alone are captivating. What was so striking to me is how this work could have been made by an artist working in 2018 with the Black Lives Matter movement and all of the police brutality that still exists today.
I also loved pieces by Faith Ringgold, Betye Sarr, and Dindga McCannon but I regretfully didn't take pictures of them, but these artists deserve honorable mentions.
Let me know who your favorite female artist is in the comments!
-Chloe
The exhibition focused on nearly 40 female artists and activists working in the U.S. during the Black Power, Civil Rights, and Women's movements of the 60's, 70's and 80's. In a world that has marginalized female artists for centuries, especially female artists of color, it was incredible to have an exhibition solely focused on voices that often go unheard. The work these artists created reflects the profound social change that was occurring and an intersection between activism and art.
Here are three of my favorite works:
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| Jae Jarrell, Ebony Family, circa 1969 |
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| Lorna Simpson, Waterbearer, 1989. |
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| Elizabeth Catlett, Target, 1970. |
Catlett created Target after a member of the Black Panthers was killed by Chicago police. Catlett was expressing her feelings towards police brutality through this dynamic piece of work. This was my favorite art piece of the exhibition. Without knowing any background, the tile and work alone are captivating. What was so striking to me is how this work could have been made by an artist working in 2018 with the Black Lives Matter movement and all of the police brutality that still exists today.
I also loved pieces by Faith Ringgold, Betye Sarr, and Dindga McCannon but I regretfully didn't take pictures of them, but these artists deserve honorable mentions.
Let me know who your favorite female artist is in the comments!
-Chloe
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