Hello Readers, this month we are going to be looking at “Humans.” This title stumped me to be honest, what do I know about “Humans” and “Art” other than being one? I left this sitting on the shelf for a while, feeling that dread of “oh no what have I done agreeing to write for a magazine, especially one that I enjoy reading myself? However, with a trip to the library I found my solution!
One of the wonderful things about working in a library is the vast number of amazing books that come across the desk every day. My colleagues have learnt to recognise the type of books that will stop me in my tracks. They also know when a book has been reserved by me, even before seeing the name on the reservation slip. On my days off I often travel to other libraries in our network, to see what they have on their shelves to inspire or intrigue me. When on holiday to other parts of the country or the world, I check out their library shelves too, all in the pursuit of ideas and inspiration for my library, and my art of course!
I often come away with something, and this last time was no different. An interesting book, all pictures, little text. Initially I thought it was in the wrong section as it was more childlike than I expected from the adult non-fiction area, but it caught my eye. Its cover was tactile, it had a fabric feel to it, its beige cover felt like material for a curtain. It had bold and colourful imagery on it and, more than anything, the title grabbed me, “Mid-Century Modern Women in the Visual Arts.” On opening the cover I saw why it had caught my eye. Every page inside was a glorious illustration of women in the Arts.
The author has made a list of 25 artists, all female and depicted in picture format only. The author, Gloria Fowler, collaborated with illustrator, Ellen Surrey, to put together a fabulous book of pictorial illustrations of the female artists. It has a very mid-century vibe to it, it's colourful and reminiscent of the 60 & 70’s, appropriate for the artists in question. Each artist has a 2-page spread, and it is up to you, the viewer, to read the art in order to understand the artist. Each of these artists has had an impact on our lives and on society, sometimes without us even realising what was happening, and sometimes because of it.
How does this fit with the theme of Humans? I hear you ask. Well, when you look at the list of artists, it might become more obvious.
Ray Eames for example, in collaboration with her husband, created art that contributed to a fresh style of architecture of, and for, the home. Creating items in such a way as to be aesthetically pleasing and useful to the owner and occupants. Watching programmes such as ‘Grand Designs’ nowadays, there is often a feeling of an Eames style about the building, her legacy lives on today. Often without us even knowing the origin of the design, the item itself just feels right. Eames was especially clever at that.
Costume Designer Edith Head has won more Oscars than any other woman. Designing clothes for Hollywood actresses such as Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn – who doesn’t recognise that classic Hepburn style from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, in fact what woman doesn’t want to be able to carry off “that” dress? I certainly would love to! Her biggest asset though was that she SPOKE to the actresses about the designs, she asked what they wanted, she listened to them, she collaborated with them to create pieces of art that they wanted to wear. She dressed Grace Kelly beautifully, the designs fitting like a second skin, accentuating and highlighting all the right features without being lurid. I had not even realised, until doing this research, that Head is the inspiration for the character Edna Mode in the ‘Incredibles’ movies, now that I know this I absolutely see it!
Bringing it back to painted art, we have Frida Kahlo and Georgia O’Keefe. Two fantastically amazing women, creating art that has depth and meaning, that is for the artist primarily and the viewer second.
Frida Kahlo illustrated her personal life struggles in her art. Being bedridden and her miscarriages are depicted in her art, telling stories all on their own. She has inspired generations of artists ever since. People recognise her work now; it became easily viewable and depicted across everyday life.
Georgia O’Keefe, with her abstracted landscapes and floral work, creating debate over the feminine aspects to the florals. Creating beautiful, serene pieces of art, which evoke all forms of emotion in the viewer and inspire other artists to follow her and paint the same landscapes in their own styles. The author and art historian, Barbara Buhler Lynes, has dedicated her life and career to O’Keefe, even setting up a museum in Sante Fe.
Alma Thomas, an African American woman, using her art to challenge race and gender constraints. “I am a Painter, I am American” strips out the need for those who want to include words such as Black or Woman. She uses bold, colourful, rectangular brush strokes to create her images. Beginning her fine art career after her retirement, and during the early days of the civil rights movements, she was inspired by Matisse and Abstract Expressionism. She created her own form of mark making that has become as distinctive and recognisable as a Thomas, even the Obama’s displayed a piece of her work in the White House.
Mary Blair, illustrator, was married to the brother of Disney animator Preston Blair. This link was useful in Mary’s life as she worked within the industry, and became one of Walt Disney’s favourite illustrators, which eventually resulted in her working on films such as Cinderella and Alice in Wonderland. Disney talked with Blair about an idea for his new theme park. In collaboration with Disney, Blair worked on the project which is now known by millions around the world as the attraction “It’s a Small World”. I dare anyone to say they don’t know of it!
Then we come to British Artists, and one I have never heard of, but who is so hugely influential that I recognise without even knowing the name. Bridget Riley, an artist who uses bold, geometric, graphic designs to create art known as “Op Art.” Inspired by Abstract Expressionism, she took her work in a different direction, typically painting in black & white, using a limiting process to create art that has the feel of Illusion Art, a trick of the eye and linked to the use of the hallucinatory style of the 1960’s pop world, think Twiggy, The Beatles, and the 1990’s movies of Austin Powers.
Mentioning Twiggy brings us to Mary Quant of course, one of the most famous fashion designers of the 1960s. Using bold graphic designs, she revolutionised fashion for the youth of the sixties, miniskirts became the fashion statement, all the girls wanted them, and wore them. Interestingly she named them after the car, the Mini, her favourite of the time, and coincidentally my own personal favourite, which I coveted as a child. I have since bought a modern one which I cherish, and one day I aspire to own a classic! Quant has been quoted as saying "They are curiously feminine, but their femininity lies in their attitude rather than in their appearance ... She enjoys being noticed, but wittily. She is lively—positive—opinionated."
So, what has all this to do with ‘Humans’, the theme of the month? Well for me, this one book highlights how wonderful humans are. In this article they are female, they have carved a career in the Visual Arts, experiencing adversity during times of societal challenges, in the field of their choice where being a woman is not easy and male dominance is not just highly prominent but revered. It highlights how art can convey experiences, identity and representation, equality and provide a social commentary. For me, this book is telling me that women can, should, and will, succeed in their chosen field if they want, try and push hard enough. I feel in our modern lives, here in 2024, it is easier, but still not the norm, for women to be at the front of their chosen field. Women still need to battle society norms, and despite the ever-increasing knowledge that women experience natural life changes - menstruation, pregnancy and menopause, normal natural parts of our lives, these still throw up challenges for the individual, society and workplace to deal with. That women can, should and DO achieve so much is, well frankly, wonderful and amazing!
It will be amazing to see how women progress going forward, how society adapts to the new knowledge, what their lives and careers hold for them, what the Visual Art world allows them to do and be.
Go forward sisters, nieces, daughters, and peers. Be the big bright amazing people you choose to be!
A Mixed Media Artist and Librarian, Donna shares with us her breadth of artistic and literary knowledge each month.
The book that inspired me is:
Mid-Century Modern Women in the Visual Arts.
ISBN 978-1-62326-082-8
2015
Gloria Fowler
As the design director for AMMO Books, Gloria Fowler has created a design-centric line of children's books and products. She also co-edited and designed the coffee table monograph, "Eames: Beautiful Details." Gloria has taught design for more than 20 years at the renowned Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California. (“Come With Me To New York-amazon.com”)
Ellen Surrey
"My designs are influenced by my love of bright colors, Mid-Century design, and vintage treasures." (“ABOUT — Ellen Surrey”)
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