Lily of the Valley

Women's right, equality and representation are a subject of ongoing debate/battle for many generations including both the mid and postmodern eras.  Views were and are different towards women depending on culture, era and location, but generally in Western culture in the 1900s and earlier, women were thought of as less than, undervalued, incapable or just weaker and representation in the art world was lacking.  For centuries women have been fighting back against these stigmas with a huge surge in the 60, 70 and 80's in America with the Women's Rights Movement.   Artists joined and often lead the movement through music, print, speech, film, sculpture and paint.  Below are chosen artistic pieces that were created and used to further educate and advance the rights of women not only in western culture but worldwide.  Often the subject matter is a bit harsh (if that is the right word) and not always tasteful or elegant, but sometimes in order to get attention one...

 The Harlem Renaissance occured in the years between World War I and the Great Depression and the onset of World War II and was a pioneering period for black artistic culture, identity and expression during a time of severe segregation and inequality.  With a large occurrance of the discrimination happening in the South, thousands of African-Americans moved North and settled in Harlem, NY, which became the hotbed of artistic expression, forming the Harlem Renaissance.   Artistic expression is a luxury.  Time is required for investment into a painting, sculpture, musical composition...and time is a luxury not afforded to many, especially those prevented from certain locations, jobs, accomodations, salaries, and educational opportunities.  While segregation, oppression and discrimination were still very much a reality, the community formation of black people in Harlem offered the opportunity for support, education, cultural pride and more financial freedom wi...