For this week’s blog I was asked to make a theme. The theme for this is going to be Women & Diversity, more specifically the increased role that women played in the world of art in this post modern era. For this exhibit I choose two female artists, Judith Baca and Judy Chicago. We will start the exhibit with Judith Baca:
Baca has been involved in the University of California system since 1984, and has been doing artwork long before that. Most of her work focuses on those who have historically been deemed ‘less’ in society. For example people in the LGBT community, poor and even women. Her artwork itself exemplifies the post modern form of art, and her reasoning behind it directly relates to the theme here. The post modern world is full of the idea of increased diversity and women’s rights and roles in society. Baca takes that movement and creates powerful images which challenge the conformity of society prior to her works creation.
These are three of the works that I think show the push of women and diversity in the post modern era: (Factual information on works can be found by clicking on photo)
All of these works have women in them somewhere, and they all tell a story about progress. There’s clearly history of oppression in some way in each work. However at the end you get to Danza de La Tierra which I think promotes the equality of women the best. The woman is the predominant figure in the painting, and it even looks like she is leading the man. Personally, I like La Memoria de Nuestra Tierra: California the most. I think it tells a lot of ancient history, and the work itself looks really cool. Now onto Judy Chicago.
Chicago was born on July 20, 1939 and has been working with art for over fifty years. She has also worked in the California University system. She has helped paved the way for feminist art and has made numerous projects. In the pieces that I’ve chosen from her, it’s easy to see how they relate to women. As I stated earlier she helped pave the way for this kind of artwork. She is really showing you in her art the female body and the potential and also burden that each woman carries. Again, this is the ideal that comes up in the post modern era and I think few portray it as well as Chicago.
Here are the works from Chicago. I’m not sure exactly where they are made, however I think California or the Southwest: (Info found by clicking photo)
The theme of ‘the woman’ is obviously very strong here. I think that these photos are really bold for their time, and it’s easy to see how they were groundbreaking. They show the reality and emotional tolls that birthing has on a woman. I personally like The Creation the most. It makes you think about birth and the reality of bringing in new life.
Sources:
Chicago, Judith. Judy Chicago. Chicago/Woodman LLC, n.d. Web. http://www.judychicago.com/
Baca, Judith. Judith Baca. n.p., n.d. Web.
http://www.judybaca.com/artist/
mheathblog 
The pieces by Judy Chicago are very bold. They really do come off with a strong vibe towards the woman and strength required for child bearing. The connection with the post modern era is strong here and you did a good job with your blog presentation. Birth trinity is particularly unique. I like how it insinuates a woman giving birth without really showing it.
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Matt,
Your blog this week was beautiful. All of the art you shared was new to me. I loved the work of both artist for different reasons. The work of Judith Baca was intriguing, and like you my favorite is La Memoria de Nuestra Tierra: California. Tremendous symbolism which communicates the history, culture, obstacles and determination of Latina women. My favorite close up to study was the bottom left depiction of Gabrielino Indians. It looked to me that the ancestors were watching and dismayed.
Judy Chicago’s work fascinated me as well, as I am studying to become a nurse mid-wife I find too many persons are embarrassed or bashful about the birthing process. Birth Tear is haunting. Chicago is certainly bold in manifesting the woman’s body. Hallelujah! Perhaps in a few years I can hang her work in my examining rooms!
Rebecca
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The art by Chicago are definitely intriguing. Her art is so different in terms of theme to women, as in not very upfront and right in your face kind of thing. You have to look, and then once you do look you can see what is going on and it really captures the eye into wanting to look more like the picture Birth Trinity. You did a very nice job with the presentation of the blog and capturing some very nice pieces of work.
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