The F Word: We Mean Female!

While the 1920 ratification of the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote, true equity—especially for those of color—remained elusive for decades. The Women’s Rights Movement gained renewed momentum in the 1960s, alongside civil rights and LGBTQ+ liberation efforts. From this wave of activism emerged the Feminist Art Movement, through which female artists challenged the male-dominated art world. By embracing unconventional materials, creating alternative exhibition spaces, confronting political and social norms, and redefining beauty itself, these artists reimagined the very framework of art history.

As in other fields, female artists have historically been left out of textbooks, museum collections, and exhibitions. In the latter half of the 20th century, they began to fight back by establishing unorthodox exhibition spaces and working with museum curators to present their pieces. Both painting and sculpture had been male-dominated fields, and many female artists worked with textiles, video, and performance, pushing the boundaries of what was considered art. They looked deeply at identity politics and questioned social stereotypes. Aiming to rewrite the largely male narrative, these artists sought to add a female perspective to the conversation happening in the art world.

The artists featured in The F Word carry forward the legacy of these pioneers—bringing and amplifying previously unheard voices into the mainstream and thus continuing to influence contemporary art. Spanning a wide range of subjects, styles, and media, this exhibition includes Miriam Schapiro, Elizabeth Murray, Lesley Dill, Beverly Semmes, Hung Liu, Kay WalkingStick and Bisa Butler.