It seems a little disjointed that, although all the other women I illustrated have links with the UK*, the artist I was asked to draw has none.
Before the 20th century female artists were (even) more rarely successful but the nature of 20th Century art has been so much about transgression that it may have been difficult to choose a woman whose work is, at least at first glance, easy to look at (of course I'm aware that, if you look twice, Kahlo's art is as full of complication and disturbance as any other artist's).
My nomination would have been Louise Borgeouis with her 'Filette' tucked under her arm. No UK links there either - except her current retrospective at the Freud Museum.
Dora Carrington, Bridget Riley, Barbara Hepworth, Ceri Richards, to Lucas, Emin, Dean etc. British or not - who would you choose?
*the project is UK-based
Gwen John is Welsh, but has London connections. I would also nominate Finnish supergenius Tove Jansson. What couldn't that woman do!
Posted by: Melanie | March 15, 2012 at 01:03 PM
Oh love this choice as an inspiring woman! So many have found her to be just that, and for good reason. I really love your drawing depicting the major events of her life who made her who she was -- the colors in this one are wonderful and such a nice homage to Kahlo's cultural background and works!
I still don't know whichinspiring woman I would choose, especially from the UK. I'm fascinated by a lot of people. Inspiration is a tough one, though. It would probably have to be an author. There are the usual suspects from the UK such as Jane Austen, or the Brontës.
Okay -- I was just searching online about women writers of hte UK, and I have found a British (and Irish) woman whose writing and scholarship I admire a lot: Lady Antonia Fraser. I'm inspired by the amount and quality of work she's done as an author.
But if I had to choose any woman who has inspired me in life, I probably would have to go ahead and write "my grandmother." :)
Posted by: Paris Karin (an alien parisienne) | March 16, 2012 at 08:25 AM
Ahem, Ceri Richards - bloke, I'm afraid. Like Lynn Chadwick. I think his middle name may have been Gerald. (Ceri, not Lynn). But how about Leonora Carrington? Remedios Varo? Niki de St Phalle? Paula Rego? Helen Chadwick? (No relation...) Loads of scope, and plenty of good stories. Keep on keeping on...
Posted by: Anastasia | April 19, 2012 at 11:07 PM
Duh I'm such an idiot! True, and thanks.
Posted by: badaude | April 21, 2012 at 12:13 PM
You're very welcome! What can I say? As the socially illiterate child of sixties Bohemians, I spent my formative years sulking in an attic surrounded by mouldering back issues of "Studio International", instead of going out and meeting people. John Berger was my imaginary friend. It's nothing to be proud of, really...
Posted by: Anastasia | April 23, 2012 at 10:18 PM
(Until I was in my teens I used to think Joan Miro was a girl...)
Posted by: badaude | May 12, 2012 at 09:07 PM
And how about that Grande Dame of Impressionism, Camille Pissaro? Don't let the enormous bushy beard fool you, that was just an Obvious Front...
Posted by: Anastasia | May 16, 2012 at 12:56 PM
And Jean Dubufet? I think we have to do more to uncover the *undiscovered women of art*.
Posted by: badaude | May 17, 2012 at 12:58 AM
Quite. Jan Vermeer? (Bit of a giveaway here - how many MEN would devote quite so much attention to getting the colour of the curtains JUST right...?)
Posted by: Anastasia | May 19, 2012 at 11:16 AM