Contemporary Printmaking; Contemporary Feminism

I have condescending ideas regarding feminism.
In all actuality, when feminism and body art become the designated topic as our grad symposium blog concept, I had both an adverse reaction as well as a warm, full body, wash of relief. What could be easier for a bunch of female graduate students in art to write about? And in blog form. Even better. Conversely, I tire so quickly of feminist art. It has a wealth of history, mythology, modern iconic imagery, and authorship issues from which to draw upon. It’s relevant (is it?). I identify. So why don't I love it? Hell, I help to create this wealth of subject matter.


The truth is that in my own work, it isn't universal enough. There are plenty of
male-feminists out there, and I've discussed said issues with them. After all, feminism is just an idea. Wikipedia identifies feminism as, "...a discourse that involves various movements, theories, and philosophies which are concerned with the issue of gender difference, advocate equality for women, and campaign for women's rights and interests." My work is due in part to sociological theories (gender, body, and sexuality), of anatomical and physical make-up, and of psychological and emotional connections. I will not centralize what I create based upon a victim mentality. But I am a feminist, (differences withstanding between feminists and 'feminazis'). I use the figure in my work. I am not a feminist artist. I am a printmaker.


Is my phobia of being identified as a feminist artist part of a larger trend? Is this why professor Ryan feels as if feminists have dropped off the face of the contemporary art world? Yeah, could be, probably because in many ways they have. I have a more than a healthy appreciation for feminist art. In my own thesis I cited heavy influences from Diane Arbus, Cindy Sherman, Jenny Holzer, and Paula Rego, among many male artists and printmakers. I love art that makes a bold statement, which stands up to antiquated ideas, and questions the norm. I love art that makes trouble. I desire those elements in my prints. However audience is a massive principle in making visual art. I make work with the intention of drawing an audience of a wider scope than that of a narrower, maybe even gender specific, conceptual base. I want my work to be accessible and universal through the use of visual metaphor.


Recently the Mid-American Print Conference has been compiling a comprehensive list of contemporary feminist artists and printmakers with help from sources such as Rutgers U, the MoMA, and an extensive panel of international professors in the studio arts and art history fields, as well as editors from Art Journal and Art Forum Magazine, (http://feministartproject.rutgers.edu). Feminism is alive and well in controversial groups such as Riot grrrl, the renegade Guerrilla Girls, and underground female graffiti artists.


As far as my 7-12 minute presentation goes, I am hoping to document either
A. Ellen Gallagher and her ethno-centric (and occasionally feminist) subjects or B. Jenny Holzer/the Guerrilla Girls in conjunction with arguments of why feminism ISN'T happening now and, "What are the themes contemporary artists are addressing in their work and how are they approaching the subject...is it direct or subversive?" As far as the direction of my own work and possibly even the sociological trends in our own generation, "Contemporary Feminism" is a non-sequitor.