Moonglotexas“Women’s Work’ by Ferren Gipson is an impactful book focused on showing how ‘women’s work’ such as textiles and ceramics is as important to the arts, and as expressions of identity and imagination, as ‘high arts’.
The book demonstrates, through artwork from around the world, and from diverse artists how meaningful, thought-provoking and beautiful art made from these unexpected mediums can be. Art tells a story and takes the viewer on a journey, it makes a point and can shift a mindset. The works included, and their accompanying write-ups, do just that. Elegantly compiled, it is easy to read and the photos of the art are large making them visually enjoyable.
If you appreciate art and expanding your understanding of it, this is for you! It’s a five out of five on the enJOYment scale and highly recommended!
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Quarto Publishing Group through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
From the back cover:
This powerful and insightful work offers a bold celebration of the innovative, brilliant artists reclaiming the idea of ‘women’s work’.
In the history of western art, decorative and applied arts – including textiles and ceramics – have been separated from the ‘high arts’ of painting and sculpture and deemed to be more suitable for women. Artists began to reclaim and redefine these materials and methods, energizing them with expressions of identity and imagination.
Women’s Work tells the story of this radical change, highlighting some of the modern and contemporary artists who dared to defy this hierarchy and who, through, experimentation and invention, transformed their medium.
The work of these women has helped underscore the ongoing value of these art forms within the history of art, championing ‘women’s work’ as powerful mediums worthy of celebration.
With biographical entries on each artist featured, as well as beautiful images of their artworks, Women’s Workraises up the work of these visionary and groundbreaking artists, telling their stories and examining their artistic legacies.
