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| Georgia O'Keeffe (1887-1986). Lake George Reflection |
Modernism is a form of art established in the 19th and 20th century, it can be defined as a drastic change of development within the art industry among others. Artists started to enhance the way they expressed their artwork using different materials and concepts. Modernism expressed a more abstract way of thinking allowing artist to express themselves more freely and uniquely. Female artists used their bodies as a form of expression, they moved from the background to being the main focus of the artwork. These women refused to hide in the shadow of men any longer. Modernism entailed the establishment of many other "ism", “In Western art, movements and "isms" appeared, one after another: impressionism, post impressionism, fauvism, cubism, futurism, constructivism, dada-ism, surrealism, abstract expressionism, etc” (Guerrilla Girls 59). All these "ism" specifically classifies all the different ways of expression in modern art. It gives you a vivid, more in-depth understanding of the artwork in that specific category. Georgia O'Keeffe's painting were interpreted to be female genitalia but she never confessed to this interpreting, she wanted her art to have its own voice and to send its own message. She was considered the most influence modern American artist. Her abstract expressions of art that had relations or concepts to the female body was captivating, her work shows the uniqueness within her. The concepts entailed so many details that captivate the viewer and has the mind running. She would even be considered the artist that gave modernism its definition.
Hannah Hoch was considered the "Mama of Dada", according to the Guerilla Girls dadaism was "…an art movement that challenged every convection (except male supremacy) and scandalized bourgeois society."(Guerilla Girls 66). The males did not appreciate Hoch's work, not even her boyfriend at the time who was Raoul Hausmann. He just wanted her to be his supporter and a house wife, not to express herself and her artwork, Hoch quickly got rid of the negative energy and focused on herself and her artwork with a new girlfriend.
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| Hannah Höch, Strauss, 1929-1965 Collage on paper Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nürnberg. On loan from a private collection © 2008 ProLitteris, Zürich. © Photo: Germanisches Nationalmuseum, Nürnberg |
Frida Kahlo on the other hand produced work with Surrealism characteristics but she was not painting her dreams, she was painting her reality. Every piece of her art expressed an emotion, event or a feeling she has felt, it was all real. The Broken Column is my absolute favorite Kahlo painting because it shows all the pain and suffering she went through but she is still standing strong, it expresses her in her lowest but strongest self.
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| Frida Kahlo, The Broken Column 1944 |
Abstract expression was a diverse, stylish way of art expression, "The consolidation of Abstract Expressionism as the dominant practice in American modern art pushed to the margins not only women moving toward artistic maturity in other 'modern' styles during the 1940s but also many women professionally active in what would come to be seen as 'conservative' and 'outmoded' figurative styles."(Chadwick 319). While German Expressionism was a more "colorful" art work. They were meant to go against olden traditions and add a twist to the "common" or "familiar" art work during the time.
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| Barbara Kruger, You are not yourself, New York 1981 |
Postmodernism developed after world war two. World War two signified the beginning of technological advancement and this advancement also made its appearance it art. Postmodernism was development in opposition of modernism. Modernism was believed to be focused more on unrealistic abstract ideas while postmodernism is about the reality, the actual experiences of those expressing their artwork. Even though postmodernism and modernism consist of some similar ideas they are still considered to be opposite forms of art, "Postmodernism draws heavily on existing representations rather than inventing new styles, and it often derives its imagery from mass media or popular culture, has focused attention on the ways that sexual and cultural difference are produced and reinforced in these images."(Chadwick 380). Barbara Kruger uses black and white images or red texts in her work often, this is where technological advances show, she isn't painting like O'Keeffe but instead using images. Kruger's work in intended to have the viewers question her position on classicism and feminism among others. The images she uses are obtained from pop cultural magazines which support all the views she goes against. This method of art work is very interesting because using the "problem" and making it the "solution" may seem controversial and confusing but it is actually a productive method of postmodern art.
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| Barbara Kruger, Untitled (Your Gaze hits the side of My Face) 1981 |
Works Cited
Chadwick, Whitney. Women, Art, and Society. Langara College, 2016
The Guerilla Girls, The Guerrilla Girls' Bedside Companion to the History of Western Art. Penguin Books, 2006.
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