Art, what tells the story of history

I thought it was interesting to learn about the Guerilla Girls and female history in art, specifically the changes

in how art is displayed and the experience of viewing and consuming it. Ms Fleigal talked about how the way

art is valued has changed over the years. I found it intriguing to think about the change from a focus on the

consistency of recreating style to the rise in one-of-a-kind work tied to the Industrial Revolution. While she

was speaking, I thought of different art I have seen throughout my life, especially in museums and professional

spaces. I remember going to art museums when I was little with my parents, often reluctantly, as I felt I didnt

“understand” and got bored of the art. While this makes sense for a young child, I think for many people, their

interest in specific art can be based on their own associations with the piece. When viewing art brings up other

connections to the greater world or previous knowledge, possibly representing something beyond what is

generically perceived, the piece can acquire deeper meaning. Art style trends naturally change throughout history,

with new forms emerging and morphing, many times with social catalysts. But, female and other marginalized

artists who embody ulterior gazes to traditional patriarchal art have been around forever; however, their work

was less widely and highly valued by greater society.

I believe art has, in many ways, grown from something that is just supposed to look pretty and serve a purpose,

like documenting something that happened or acting as a tool, to a larger purpose of representing perspective

and affecting the viewer. Showing the perspectives of women and other marginalized communities in and

through art opens a door to viewing work and invoking thought differently, clearly demonstrated in the

Guerilla Girls’ first protest, where viewers were stopped in their tracks and confronted with thoughts and

information they had possibly never learned or even thought of. The woman's body with a lion head on one

of the Gorilla Girl posters highlights the discrepancy between female and male representation in art museums,

with the eye-catching words: “Do women have to be naked to get into the Met. Museum?” Looking at artwork

with this pose and style is one experience, but observing them in regard to other connections, like the fact that

85% of nude art in museums was of women, makes the art take on more meaning and worldly significance for

the viewer. The Gorilla Girls used their art to affect and influence the perspectives of their viewers, grabbing

their attention as the presentation of their art played a role in the way it is observed and processed by the

viewer. They changed the way many view prestigious art and talent, for museums have far too long only

presented the “history of patriarchy as opposed to the history of art,” shunning work that embodies different

perspectives and failing to embody the nuanced history much art ultimately tells. The importance of inclusion

in art is more than just face value aesthetics, but rather how the work speaks to aspects of society and ourselves.