Women in Abstraction

About this book

A groundbreaking study of the women of abstract art and their works presented as a richly illustrated visual history. Women in Abstraction reevaluates the work of women abstract artists changing the story of modern and contemporary art. A tie-in catalog to a major exhibition at Pariss Centre Pompidou this volume explores the fundamental role women artists played in the development of abstract art in the twentieth century. In this rich sweeping collection editors Christine Macel and Karolina Lewandowska bring together more than one hundred artists in painting sculpture dance applied arts photography film and performing arts. Understanding that abstract art must be looked at in the light of the artists political and personal surroundings this volume dives into the creation and reception of these artworks over time. From the symbolist abstraction of Hilma af Klint now widely regarded as the first abstract artist and the sensual abstraction of Huguette Caland to the purist non-objective approach of Verena Loewensberg each artists relationship to abstraction is examined. These artworks are presented with thought-provoking essays by esteemed critics contextualizing and exploring the subjects and themes of the movement. Ultimately this volume questions the legitimacy of the notion of female artists and presents this group as simply artists full of complexities and paradoxes. 350 illustrations