New Time: Art and Feminisms in the 21st Century

Lucy Lippard argued that feminist art is “neither a style nor a movement” but rather “a value system, a revolutionary strategy, a way of life.” This title takes Lippard’s statement as a point of departure, examining the values, strategies and ways of life reflected in recent feminist art. The book presents works by more than 75 artists and collectives, including Louise Bourgeois, Andrea Bowers, Judy Chicago, Luchita Hurtado, Lynn Hershman Leeson, Carol Rama, Kiki Smith and Kara Walker.Although artworks made since 2000 are the primary focus, the objects and installations discussed span several generations, mediums, geographies and political sensibilities, conveying the heterogeneous, intergenerational and gender-fluid nature of feminist practices. In keeping with Griselda Pollock’s observation that “feminism is a historical project and thus is itself constantly shaped and remodeled in relation to the living process of women’s struggles,” this title argues that feminist art in the 21st century encompasses myriad perspectives and cannot be reduced to a single subject, style or agenda. This richly illustrated volume presents works by more than 75 artists and collectives, including Laura Aguilar, Louise Bourgeois, Andrea Bowers, Judy Chicago, Ellen Gallagher, Luchita Hurtado, Lynn Hershman Leeson, Kalup Linzy, Goshka Macuga, Mai-Thu Perret, Carol Rama, Kiki Smith, Sturtevant and Kara Walker. It examines their work though themes such as the stereotypes associated with hysteria; the gendered gaze; the revisiting of historical subjects through a feminist lens; fragmented representations of the female body; shifting categories of gender; activism, domesticity and labor; female anger; and feminist utopias."
ISBN 9780983881377. University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive. flexi. 240 pages. 64 colour, 14 b/w ills. 19 x 26 cm.
reprinting