brooklynmuseum: If you ask someone to name five artists, they...

brooklynmuseum:

If you ask someone to name five artists, they will likely name prominent male artists, but how many people can list five women artists? Throughout March’s Women’s History Month, we will be joining institutions around the world to answer this very question posed by the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NWMA). Together we hope to draw attention to the gender imbalance in the art world, inspire conversation and awareness, and hopefully add a few more women’s names to everyone’s lists.

Anna Williams, an African American quilt-maker born and raised near Baton Rouge, Louisiana, made quilts throughout her life, incorporating scraps of traditional printed cottons, unusual synthetics, and woven or decorated fabrics such as the sequined pieces seen here. The artist’s bold approach combines traditional block settings with free-flowing improvisation and a masterful use of color. In the late 1980s, Williams’s unique style of quilt-making was recognized by artists and collectors, who encouraged her to exhibit and sell her work.

Can you name #5WomenArtists?