The Quad: ‘Radical Women’ exhibit sends strong messages on power of women of color
Part of Pacific Standard Time: LA/LA, Radical Women: Latin American Art, 1960—1985 at the Hammer Museum reappraises the contribution of Latin American women artists and those of Latino and Chicano heritage in the United States to contemporary art. In a way that no other exhibition has done previously, Radical Women gives visibility to the artistic practices of women artists working in Latin America and US-born women artists of Latino heritage between 1960 and 1985—a key period in Latin American history and in the development of contemporary art. Fifteen countries are represented by more than one hundred artists.
"Perhaps it is impossible to teach somebody how to care for and accept others, or to see past gender or skin color. But the Hammer Museum’s latest exhibit tries to pierce through the intolerance permeating our society.
Through the voices of a different time and of foreign countries, “Radical Women: Latin American Art, 1960–1985″ makes a case for women. The exhibit, on display for the next six weeks until Dec. 31 at the Hammer Museum, shows anyone willing to observe that art matters. People of color matter. Women matter.
The key issues of “Radical Women” can be summarized with two thematic questions. The first: What is the place of Latin American female artists in the canon of contemporary art as a whole? Despite the wealth of stunning pieces I saw in my visit to the exhibit, I wouldn’t have recognized a single work or artist on display from any of my prior cultural knowledge. There is no Barbara Kruger to see there, nor is there any Kusama or Abramović. Therein lies the second issue “Radical Women” seeks to address: Why aren’t these brilliant artists more well-known?"— Lionel Deatherage, Nov. 20, 2017
This post is an excerpt, read the full article at the Daily Bruin website.
Read more coverage of Radical Women at the Hammer Museum here.