Ghada Amer "Snow White Without the Dwarves"
CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
This artwork explores power because she is making "paintings" which historically only men created. The world of art, specifically painting was something that only men were allowed to do. Many women were not even allowed to study art and were denied the ability to have their artwork displayed publicly. Women faced many challenges because of the gender bias in the art world and society in general. Women went unnoticed as artists or their art would be ridiculed as only "crafts" but never taken serious in a fine art context. Ghada Amer is creating paintings to show that women also have to power to create art; fine art. She is adding her feminine touch by using embroidery which shows that she can express herself in her own way but also uses paint in a way to combine both genders into her art making. Amer challenges the male dominated art making practice of painting by covering and enhancing it with embroidery. She wants to play with the gender roles and stereotypes that women have had to deal with. She uses embroidery because "women sew," she also makes gardens because "women love to garden." Although she refers to her art as "paintings" they are mixed media colaged canvases. It is also important that the title says “without the dwarves” because she’s making a statement that snow white is independent and doesn’t need the power of a male figure.
This artwork explores power because she is making "paintings" which historically only men created. The world of art, specifically painting was something that only men were allowed to do. Many women were not even allowed to study art and were denied the ability to have their artwork displayed publicly. Women faced many challenges because of the gender bias in the art world and society in general. Women went unnoticed as artists or their art would be ridiculed as only "crafts" but never taken serious in a fine art context. Ghada Amer is creating paintings to show that women also have to power to create art; fine art. She is adding her feminine touch by using embroidery which shows that she can express herself in her own way but also uses paint in a way to combine both genders into her art making. Amer challenges the male dominated art making practice of painting by covering and enhancing it with embroidery. She wants to play with the gender roles and stereotypes that women have had to deal with. She uses embroidery because "women sew," she also makes gardens because "women love to garden." Although she refers to her art as "paintings" they are mixed media colaged canvases. It is also important that the title says “without the dwarves” because she’s making a statement that snow white is independent and doesn’t need the power of a male figure.