A Companion to Feminist Art

WILEY BLACKWELL COMPANIONS TO ART HISTORY A Companion to Feminist Art Original essays offering fresh ideas and global perspectives on contemporary feminist art The term "feminist art" is often misused when viewed as a codification within the discipline of Art History - a codification that includes restrictive definitions of geography, chronology, style, materials, influence, and other definitions inherent to historical and museological classifications. Employing a different approach, A Companion to Feminist Art defines "art" as a dynamic set of material and theoretical practices in the realm of culture, and "feminism" as an equally dynamic set of activist and theoretical practices in the realm of politics. Feminist art, therefore, is not a simple classification of a type of art, but rather the space where feminist politics and the domain of art-making intersect. The Companion provides readers with an overview of the developments, concepts, trends, influences, and activities within the space of contemporary feminist art - in different locations, ways of making, and ways of thinking. This new collection of essays focuses on the recent history of, and current discussions within feminist art. Diverse in scope and style, these contributions range from essays on the questions and challenges of large sectors of artists, such as configurations of feminism and gender in post-Cold War Europe, to more focused conversations with artists on Afropean decoloniality. Ranging from discussions of essentialism and feminist aesthetics to examinations of political activism and curatorial practice, the Companion informs and challenges readers, introduces new concepts and fresh perspectives, and illustrates just how much more there is to discover within feminist art. Addresses the intersection between feminist thinking and major theories that have influenced art theory Incorporates diverse voices from around the world to offer viewpoints on global feminisms Examines how feminist art intersects with considerations of collectivity, war, maternal relationships, desire, men, and relational aesthetics Explores the myriad ways in which the experience of inhabiting and perceiving aged, raced, and gendered bodies relates to feminist politics in the art world Discusses a range of practices in feminism such as activism, language, education, and different ways of making art The intersection of feminist art-making and feminist politics are not merely components of a unified whole, they sometimes diverge and divide. A Companion to Feminist Art is an indispensable resource for artists, critics, scholars, curators, and anyone seeking greater knowledge on the subject through informed critique and debate.