Tag: feminism

Hannah Wilke at Ronald Feldman Gallery

Hannah Wilke’s two drawings of herself as an angel after Renaissance artist Albrecht Durer, now on view at Ronald Feldman Gallery in SoHo, stand out among photo, video and sculpture from the 70s to the early 90s by the feminist art icon.  Although known for having defied feminist conventions by displaying her own body in provocative ways; here, Wilke’s audience gazes on her profile not her figure as she manifests as a celestial being.  Recalling Durer’s engraving ‘Melancholia,’ in which a female angel represents the artist’s melancholy, Wilke expressionist version offers a more freeing vision.  (On view in SoHo through Nov 30th).

Hannah Wilke, (detail of) Self-Portrait as Angel with Durer Wing, Nov 1, 1976.

Julie Heffernan at PPOW Gallery

Over the past four decades, Brooklyn painter and art professor Julie Heffernan has questioned traditional roles for women in fantastical works that channel art history and champion female agency.  Her latest body of work lauds women who have stood up to power in portraits that hang alongside framed paintings that reverse typical art historical power relations.  In the background here, Heffernan’s reworks Rubens’ ‘Rape of the Daughters of Leucippus,’ by replacing a man with a woman on horseback, making her rescuer rather than perpetrator. (On view at PPOW Gallery in Chelsea through Oct 6th).

Julie Heffernan, Self-Portrait with the Daughters, oil on canvas, 79 x 56 inches, 2018.

Lara Schnitger at Anton Kern Gallery

Known for fabric sculptures like those pictured here, LA-based artist Lara Schnitger is now allowing fans a more intimate appreciation of her work with a couture line – Sister of Arp.  The clothes will, she says, “play with themes of motherhood, feminism, fashion and sculpture.”  (At Anton Kern Gallery, Chelsea, through Feb 15th.)  

Lara Schnitzer, installation view of ‘Sister of Arp’ couture clothing at Anton Kern Gallery, January 2014.

Ana Mendieta at Galerie Lelong

Toward the end of her short life, Cuban-American artist Ana Mendieta imported sand and soil from locations important to her (Cuba, the Nile, etc.), to make sculpture that evokes organic materials, the female body and far-away locations. (At Chelsea’s Galerie Lelong through June 22nd).  

Ana Mendieta, installation view of ‘Ana Mendieta:  Late Works 1981-85,’ at Galerie Lelong, May 2013.

Sylvie Fleury at Salon 94 Bowery

Sylvie Fleury’s 1998 video ‘Walking on Carl Andre,’ features women’s feet as they pose on ‘60s Minimalist icon Carl Andre’s signature metal floor plate sculptures.  In this updated version, she allows visitors to try on a pair of heels and strut their stuff on an Andre replica in a feminizing collaboration that turns his masculine, industrial art product into a catwalk. (At Salon 94 Bowery through April 27th.)  

Sylvie Fleury, installation view of ‘It Might as Well Rain Until September,’ at Salon 94 Bowery, March 2013.