The proverbial maxim “Necessity is the mother of invention” finds renewed relevance when refracted through feminist perspectives. This paradigm shift unfolds as writers and curators Eleanor Heartney, Helaine Posner, Nancy Princenthal and Sue Scott unveil their latest collaborative endeavor: “Mothers of Invention: The Feminist Roots of Contemporary Art.” A book launch with a panel discussion and book signing on June 26, 10am to noon, will be held at the Anderson Ranch Arts Center as a part of its 2024 Critical Dialogue programming. Multimedia installation artist Ann Hamilton will join the panel discussion.
“Mothers of Invention” is a comprehensive examination of the influential contributions of internationally renowned artists such as Marina Abramović, Yoko Ono, Cindy Sherman, Harmony Hammond, Helen Frankenthaler, Agnes Denes and Magdalena Abakanowicz. The book is the third in a series by the authors, following “After the Revolution: Women Who Transformed Contemporary Art” (2007) and “The Reckoning: Women Artists of the New Millennium” (2013).
In a recent conversation with The Sopris Sun, Heartney reflected on the journey that led to their recent publication.
Heartney is an art critic, curator, historian and editor known for her work on contemporary art, feminist theory and contributions to art literature. She began her writing career in Minneapolis in the 1980s.
Based in New York City, Heartney is currently a contributing editor to Art in America and Artpress magazines. Recalling the formation of their collective nearly two decades ago, she said, “Sue Scott had the idea of bringing us together to write a book around the time when the art world was particularly focused on women artists and had declared 2008 as the ‘Year of the Woman Artist,’” she said.
Their first book responded to Linda Nochlin’s 1971 seminal essay, “Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?” which challenged systemic barriers preventing women’s recognition in the art world.
“Mothers of Invention” takes a historical approach, tracing the roots of feminist influence in contemporary art from the 1970s. The era was marked by significant feminist activism, which included advocating for gender equality, challenging systemic sexism and addressing issues such as reproductive rights, workplace discrimination and representation in media and politics. Those topics laid the groundwork for many of the themes explored in the book.
Each of the four authors chose a theme close to their heart, reflecting on the pioneers, or “mothers,” who shaped their chosen fields. For Heartney, ecofeminism was a focal point, with the artwork of Mierle Laderman Ukeles, which focused on everyday tasks as art. “Ukeles’ work emphasized the importance of maintenance and care, taking it to a larger picture of how women maintain not just the home but the city and the larger environment,” she explained.
The book also marks a significant shift by including male artists and acknowledging their contributions to feminist themes. “These women pioneers helped shape contemporary art, influencing a wide array of artists, including men,” Heartney remarked. This inclusive approach underscores the ever-evolving nature of feminist discourse in art.
The discussion at Anderson Ranch is a fitting venue for launching this new work. Liz Ferrill, Anderson Ranch’s artistic director, highlighted the institution’s long-standing support for the authors’ projects.
“The Ranch has served as a venue for introducing their past books, and we are thrilled to celebrate the new publication as well as Ann Hamilton, one of the subjects of their exploration of the feminist roots of contemporary art,” Ferrill said.
The ongoing evolution of feminist ideas is a central thread throughout the authors’ works. Heartney acknowledged the changing connotations of the term “feminist” and its expanding definition.
“There was a time when some artists, like Louise Bourgeois and Elizabeth Murray, were uncomfortable with the feminist label because they felt it excluded them from the larger world.” She continued, “Our current politics are bringing many people back into the fold. We do need to be feminist there because things aren’t solved, and it’s always shifting.”
Space is limited for this free event, and attendees are encouraged to register early.
In a Nutshell:
What: “Mothers of Invention” panel and book signing
Where: Anderson Ranch
When: June 26 at 10am
Registration: www.tinyurl.com/MothersOfInventionAR