Women’s Work

This powerful and insightful work offers a bold celebration of the innovative, brilliant artists reclaiming the idea of 'women's work'. In the history of western art, decorative and applied arts - including textiles and ceramics - have been separated from the 'high arts' of painting and sculpture and deemed to be more suitable for women. Artists began to reclaim and redefine these materials and methods, energizing them with expressions of identity and imagination. Women's Work tells the story of this radical change, highlighting some of the modern and contemporary artists who dared to defy this hierarchy and who, through, experimentation and invention, transformed their medium. The work of these women has helped underscore the ongoing value of these art forms within the history of art, championing 'women's work' as powerful mediums worthy of celebration. With biographical entries on each artist featured, as well as beautiful images of their artworks, Women's Work raises up the work of these visionary and groundbreaking artists, telling their stories and examining their artistic legacies.

Gee's Bend Quilters Maria Martinez Elsa Schiaparelli Anni Albers Lucie Rie Lenore Tawney Dorothea Tanning Louise Bourgeois Rut Bryk Monir Shahroudy Farmanfarmaian Miriam Schapiro Yayoi Kusama Faith Ringgold Magdalena Abakanowicz Olga de Amaral Sheila Hicks Eva Hesse Marva Lee Pitchford-Jolly Judy Chicago Judith Scott Annette Messager Isabelle de Borchgrave Dindga McCannon Cecilia Vicuña Mrinalini Mukherjee Polly Apfelbaum Sarah Lucas Yin Xiuzhen Simone Leigh Billie Zangewa Otobong Nkanga Alexandra Kehayoglou Sarah Zapata Tschabalala Self Hannah Hill More artists to explore Bibliography Index Picture credits Acknowledgements