The Guerrilla Girls mention it is rare for a museum to have many female artists on display, but (Re)discovering S(h)elves displays explicitly all female artists and their interpretations on identity. The Guerrilla Girls fight to expose females in the art world past and present an eliminate stereotyping of female artists or artists of color. Artists like Jan Shotwell and Stephanie Brunia, examine the Western art tradition made so popular by male artists over the centuries. (Re)discovering S(h)elves draws attention to female artists as a whole by providing a space that highlights all types of woman’s art.
Jan Shotwell, Big Red, 1975
Big Red reflects on the traditional Western female nude. At first glance how many people see the nude woman in red in the background? Most people notice the red bird then upon further inspection notice the nude female in red. Shotwell was drawing attention to tradition Western female nudes highlighting the objectification of women in art. Instead of the nude being the focal point your attention is drawn to the bird questioning the importance of the viewer looking at the woman or the bird shielding her.
Stephanie Brunia, Ophelia,