The other side of the avante-garde: twentieth-century women's art history
A Van den Bosch
8 points * 3 hours per week * First semester * Clayton * Prerequisites: Two visual arts subjects at first-year level
The subject examines different forms of art practice and careers of women artists in Europe and America in the twentieth century. The content covers the distinctive themes and imagery of women artists, questions concerning the nature of historical evidence in art history, the critical reception of women's art and their representation in museums. The subject will address feminist aesthetics and themes in women's art practice such as the representation of the body, expressionist and surrealist tendencies, documentary photography, sculpture and architectural practice, abstraction, colour and pattern painting, and political and feminist art. These topics focus on specific debates current in women's art history and criticism.
Assessment
Seminar paper (2000 words): 35% * Essay (3000 words): 40% * Visual test (1.5 hours): 25%
Prescribed texts
Broude N and Garrard M (eds) The expanding discourse: Feminism and art history Collins, 1992
Chadwick W Women, art and society Thames and Hudson, 1990
Chadwick W and Curtivron I (eds) Significant others: Creativity and intimate partnership Thames and Hudson, 1993
Freuh J, Langer C and Raven A (eds) New feminist criticism Harper Collins, 1988
Pollock G Vision and difference: Feminism and art history Routledge, 1988
Slatkin W (ed.) The voices of women artists Prentice-Hall, 1993
Waller S (ed.) Women artists in the modern era: A documentary history Scarecrow Press, 1991