Written by: Emily Sabens, Public Relations Intern

In March of 2016, the National Museum of Women in the Arts launched a social media campaign in honor of Women’s History Month. They asked what seemed like a simple question: “Can you name five women artists off the top of your head?” But many were unable to––even those who worked in the arts. The challenge brought shock, elicited a challenge and started a global conversation about female participation in the arts.

The museum continued the campaign in 2017, with 520 arts and cultural organizations from all seven continents and 30 countries recognizing the works of female artists. The challenge began again this March, with museums and organizations across the world shining a light on women who have made significant impacts in the arts.

Here at the David Owsley Museum of Art, we are honored to house many artworks produced by talented female artists who have made significant strides. In honor of the #5WomenArtists challenge, here are five inspirational women whose art is available to see at DOMA.

Christina Ramberg

Christina Ramberg (1946-1995) is an American painter who was part of the Chicago Imagists, a group of representational artists who attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in the 1960s. Ramberg’s works often featured female bodies, constricted by clothing and forced into odd, irregular poses. The New York Times called Ramberg’s works “comic, formally elegant and erotically sinister.”

Debbie Ma

Born in the Phillipines and of Chinese descent, Debbie Ma (1957-    ) is both a fine artist and graphic artist whose works have graced products of many major cosmetic companies. For many years, she has worked in her studio in New York City. Ma has painted since she was a child, and her experiences in graphic design often translate into her paintings.

Lee Krasner

One of the most well-known artists in our collection, Lee Krasner (1908-1984) helped break gender stereotypes during the male-dominated Abstract Expressionist movement. Although sometimes better-known for being artist Jackson Pollock’s wife, Krasner was a highly talented artist who painted boldly and expressively.

Esphyr Slobodkina

Russian artist Esphyr Slobodkina (1908-2002) was a highly recognized artist, author and children’s book illustrator. She is most well-known for writing and illustrating her book “Caps for Sale,” which is regarded as a children’s classic. Slobodkina also created unique abstract paintings, which are housed in numerous institutions across the U.S.

 

Stella Snead

Although Stella Snead (1910-2006) didn’t begin her career as an artist until her mid-20s, she went on to become a highly successful painter, photographer and collage artist. Her works mainly feature dreamlike landscapes, filled with whimsical animals and human-like creatures.

We are honored to celebrate these five women, along with the other brilliant female artists in DOMA’s collection, through the #5WomenArtists campaign.