Emily Portman
Saying
you're a feminist is a confronting thing to say,
even in this day and age when women have come out of the dungaree s and
can say
that they care about women's rights with lady danger red lip stick on,
but it's tricky isn't it? I don't want to isolate the other
species...men, whom I am very fond of, and who have given me lots of
support over the years.
I decided to write this blog
about the need for more equity in the arts for women, as a feminist, and
as a living, breathing artist with a paint brush in my hand, not some
dried up academic with a paint brush up the butt. I'm lucky enough to
have been able to create my passion into a full time gig, and I'm aware
that it is fortunate for any artist, man or woman. So I want to approach
this from the angle, not that I've been a victim, or that women are
victims, but rather that things could be improved.
Abbie McCullock
I always wanted to be a
pioneer. When I was little I wanted to be the first woman to climb Mt
Everest..... that is until I saw that your fingers could turn black and
fall off! So this will have to do. If I have one thing to do before I am
done on this earth it will be to have another go as the GORILLA GIRLS
did back in the 70's of evening up the stakes.
So
if things are not balanced in the art world, where are all the women
that I studied with? I've been told by a professor that women gravitate
towards teaching careers instead, or that they have children, and that
hampers them, but it still doesn't answer it, as many women have
careers, and babies and do fine in other professions, and many
successful artists both men and women taught me, so that doesn't cut it
either. The truth is that it's still a boys club out there, and a lot
of boys form friendships, and then leg each other up, which a lot of
women just don't get the benefit of, or get the blokey culture of the
art world. Got it Maaate!
Leah Frazer
In
any case, I want to add something positive to this debate. I've
answered emails from women asking for advice on how to pursue their
artistic careers, some have told me that I have saved them, inspired
them, and that's something I never thought I'd ever hear. I thought I
was pursuing pretty much the most selfish and indulgent thing possible,
and was taken aback that I had any influence over people at all, so now
that a few people have told me that they enjoy my writing, and haha read
it, I'm going to talk about something that's important to me.
I
am fully aware that just talking about it won't solve inequality, but
you have to raise people's awareness of situations to even begin to have
a conversation. When I have suggested to some people that the Archibald
Prize should have a 50/50 male to woman split instead of the general
figures which are on average 10 women to 30 men, it was implied that the
gene pool of female talent may not be strong enough to create such a
resolution. Or people have said that the issue isn't black and white.
Lexi Land
As
a lover of contemporary art, I find a lot of the work in the Archibald
not really my cup of tea, however for arguments sake I'd like to know
how many women entered out of the 834. If it was 424, which I would say
it would have to be considering the amount of women who study art far
out weigh the men, then to give them only 10 places, year after year, is
not only unequal it's sexist.
I'm sure museums and
galleries had the same hesitation about increasing the numbers of female
artists represented in their institutions, when they were lampooned by
the Gorilla Girls, when it first came to light how poorly represented
women were. Well we have moved on from there, and there are more female
artists in the museums, and the gallery system, and nobody takes any
notice any more, because it is now the norm. But it is still not equal.
Finally after it has been pointed out some more, there will be
equality. It will be the norm, but not if you don't stand up for it!
Until
then girls, don't just hide away in a studio by yourself, the arts is
all about connection. If you have been helped by others on your way up,
don't forget to offer support to artists just coming up, especially
those whose work you believe in. Form a group and leg yourselves up!
Mia Oatley
