News Roundup 3.24.25
Everything you need to know about women artists this week
In the North of France, a painting once attributed to a man has been rightfully restored to the credit of Lavinia Fontana, one of the most prominent and influential women artists of the Italian Renaissance. Click here link to learn more about the discovery of the painting, 'Portrait of a Gentleman, His Daughter, and a Servant,' as well as its artist, Lavinia Fontana,
Home to the work and tradition of pop artist Sister Mary Corita Kent, known as the Pop Art Nun, the Corita Art Center has reopened its doors in its new home in downtown Los Angeles. This new chapter is marked by a billboard in LA of Sister Corita’s iconic 1965 piece, titled hope, inviting all who see it to “participate in building a world of justice, creativity, and possibility, where hope is created through collective action,” wrote the Center’s press release announcing their plans to reopen.
“Doing and making are acts of hope.” — Corita Kent
Recent controversy continues in Ireland, as “hundreds sign open letter,” according to Edinburgh News urging officials to commission a woman sculptor for the statue commemorating the life’s work of Irish suffragist Elsie Inglis. “If Elsie Inglis was alive today she would want a woman to create the sculpture. The whole design process was a farce. It was open and fair but suddenly it was closed and they appointed the sculptor to the King,” commented Dr. Lynn Monair who was born at the hospital that Inglis founded.
“A statue of Elsie Inglis should tell the story of who she was, through a female gaze, created by female hands. To truly honour her legacy, we must recognise that representation is not just about the figure itself, but about who gets to shape how history is told.” Find out more about the background of this “farce” from the Guardian and let us know what you think in the comments below.
Gloria Steinem celebrated her 91st birthday with an art-filled affair, hosted by LA-based gallery ILY2.
From the clothes we wear to the architecture on our streets and the decor and design in our homes, the influence of women artists is everywhere. Take a look back at the women artists who have helped shape Dior’s fashion legacy.
A new documentary explores why women’s wart art has so often been ignored as a part of this particular canon. Watch the trailer for the film chronicling the resilience and creativity of women resisting violence.
Contemporary multi-media artist Sarah Sze was announced as the winner of the inaugural Meraki Artist Award for women artists, supported by the Institute of Contemporary Art Boston, reported Ocula.
This week, we honor the life and work of Nona Faustine, the photographer known for her provocative and celebratory works spotlighting the bravery of Black women. Learn more about Faustine’s practice, as well as her most well-known exhibition, White Shoes, in this 2016 review from The Brooklyn Rail.
Additional Reading:
“Can the Art Industry Close Its Gender Equity Gap” — from Artnet
Artist Melissa Joseph interviews Guerilla Girls members Frida Kahlo and Käthe Kollwitz about the group’s 40-year legacy, as well as their current exhibition at Hannah Traore Gallery, on display now through March 28. Read the interview on BOMB and check out Guerilla Girls: DiscrimiNATION soon.=
“Motherhood as just a part of womanhood:” ‘Artist Eman Osama talks about the representation of women in the works of Egyptian painters throughout the ups and downs of social and political rights during the past 100 years.’ — from Ahram Online
“French-Indian Artist Olympe Ramakrishna On Exploring Womanhood Through Art.” — from She The People
One More Thing:
Have you been enjoying reading our Substack? Consider becoming a paid subscriber today! Reading and commenting on our posts is free through the end of this month — Women’s History Month — but will become available only to our paying members very soon.
If you love learning about women artists and find meaning in our community, sign up for a Less Than Half membership, for as little as a dollar a day. All those who sign up in March enter for a chance to win a free hour of 1:1 time with our founder, Hall W. Rockefeller, plus a free LTH ‘I Hope Banksy Is A Woman’ T-shirt.
Cornelia says, What are you waiting for? Join our growing movement today!
That’s it for today! See you next week.