Women Artists

Question time:
How many Women Artists can you name?
How many Male Artists you name?

Growing up, I don’t think I could even name One women Artist, but I certainly witnessed Creativity expressed in the form of foods & fashion.

I grew up in multi-cultural Singapore. My own cultural heritage is a fusion of cultures such that my palate was exposed to a variety of Southeast Asian Spices and tastes. Creativity expressed through culinary skills of women! It was the same with fashion. The exquisite embroidery on blouses and beadwork on shoes represent amazing craftsmanship of creative women. So whilst I could not name renowned women Artists, I enjoyed the fruit of creativity as expressed through my cultural heritage – were expressed by women, forgotten women.

Zing Tsjeng’s book Forgotten Women – The Artists reminded of the spirit of the women who created boldly. Some are unnamed, others unknown and a few stayed in the shadows of the men in their lives. Tsjeng’s book is well researched and a delight to read.

On reflecting on Tsjeng’s book; I thought – Art belongs to everybody whilst at the same it time it belongs to nobody. It belongs to us all. Creative expressions through drawing has existed through the centuries. Think Cave drawings – mentioned by Tsjeng in one of her chapters (there is evidence pointing that they were most likely drawn by women!). But at the same time, Art does not belong to anyone individual. This line sounded familiar, so I did a quick search to see if this was a quote I had seen before or if perhaps this thought had dawned on someone else. It has!

“Art belongs to everybody and nobody. Art belongs to all time and no time. Art belongs to those who create it and those who savour it. Art no more belongs to the People and the Party than it once belonged to the aristocracy and the patron. Art is the whisper of history, heard above the noise of time. Art does not exist for art’s sake: it exists for people’s sake.”

Julian Barnes, The Noise of Time

I am unsure if I have seen it but I certainly have yet to read the book. I am looking forward to reading this and appreciating the context of the above quote.

As someone involved in inspiring creativity through my various Art Classes, I am passionate about dismantling any barriers, boundaries & misconceptions of what Art is. I think of myself as a cheerleader of each Home Ed Creative in their Creative journey. My small classes enable me to get to know each child better and to see how best to provide a safe space for them to explore & experiment as they express their creativity. Each Creative piece is unique, just like it’s creator.