Slide 1

From Sofonisba Anguissola to Marguerite Thompson Zorach 26 Still Life Paintings using the Pear as a Metaphor for their work and their lives. By Coni Minneci Slide 2 My awareness of the inequities that have historically plagued the recognition and accomplishments of women artist compelled me in 2001 to write a paper entitled Women in Art history: A Z, as a part of my studies at Empire College. A few years later, the painting series was begun. These 26 paintings, created over a period of three years, was the result of my reflection on the notes and other documentation that I had gathered, and allowing the work and life of each of these women to influence me and inspire an original still life painting. Working with subliminal impulses and intuitive thought, I conceived each work. Some came easily, and others were perplexing visual challenges. Slide 3 A woman renowned in her own time as a portrait artist. I hid her image within this simple composition as she hid a woman in her self portrait. Can you find her? Self Portrait at the Clavichord 1561 Slide 4 Ahhh, Jennifer, stardom at a young age in the art circles of America. Symphony of visual poetry, simplified shapes, rhythm and repetition. A star in the spotlight. Detail from Rhapsody 1975 Slide 5 This outspoken Feminist artist has written seven books and is exhibited world wide. I did to the pear what I believe she thinks the history of art has done to women. The Dinner Party 1979 Five years in the making, this installation recognizes the accomplishments of 39 women in history. Slide 6 Included in this image are fragments from her early Cubist Quilt art, the thread floats within the painting, representing three segments of her life: artist-mother-wife. A scene form the film Le ptit Parigot (1926) with costumes by Sonia and paintings on the wall by Robert. Slide 7 Her talent was hidden until the death of her famous artist husband, Thomas Eakins. Color is limited and an unopened flower is a symbol of her talent waiting to bloom. Two Sisters 1879 oil on canvas Slide 8 Successful in the times she lived in, an amazing figurative painter, she challenged me to try to paint contrasting textures. This small attempt tries to honor her. Portrait of a Noblewomen 1580 National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington D.C. Slide 9 A Buffalo artist whose work transcends space and time. Her pear has floating text, and a small globe, just a peak into Gordons world. Presenting Evidence Albright-Knox Art Gallery 2002, a recreation of Gordons studio. Slide 10 A woman who abandoned Abstract Expressionism to investigate Painting Art History. My image is reactionary to her early works regarding advertisement in America. December Second 1959 Oil on Canvas 48 x 72 in. NMWA Slide 11 Responding to her book: Juchitan de las Mujeres, I painted pears reflecting the strong-willed large bodies women, the matriarchal community in her photo- essay, who preserve their culture and traditions. Juchitan de las Mujeres 1989 A community in the far south of Mexico, with Zapotec-influences. Slide 12 The title Queen Mother of African American Art was bestowed upon her by her students & admirers. Struggles against prejudice and criticism forced her to have multiple identities as she grew in her art, so too the pear. Ode to Kinshasa 1972 Mixed Media on canvas 48 x 63 in. NMWA Slide 13 Experiments with computer technology led Krause and two women artists to form Digital Atlelier, a printmakers group online. Forcing me to think another way, the result has the pear open to new methods and ideas. Digital Atelier Exhibit, 2005, New Bedford Art Museum Slide 14 Little known Dutch painter, her work has often been confused with Fans Hals. Her amusing imagery prompted me to have fun with veggies and her pear. Note: JL not F H!! The Concert ca. 1633 Oil on Canvas NMWA Slide 15 Working with wood and real found objects, often including images of herself, Marisols work results in ambiguous ironic, haunting sculptures, thus this image with my wooden blocks. Women and dog 1964 Wood, plaster, synthetic polymer, and various media. Whitney museum of American Art, NYC Slide 16 Her figurative work has been described as consistent, serious and an innovative body of work. Responding to her encouragement, I included fragments of my Diva series with her pear. Charlotte Willard (detail) 1967, Mary Shoemaker (detail) 1965, Faith Ringgold (detail) 1977 New Realism/slyly psychological portraits Slide 17 Yes, the wife of Beatle John Lennon did something else besides help break up the most popular band in the world. Her pear floats in mystery. A detail of Yoko Onos Touch me III, 2008, pre damage. NYC Slide 18 Little known Irish painter working in oil, with influences of Degas in some of her work. As she did I looked to Degas for guidance. Trees by the Dodder Oil on Canvas Slide 19 Working in paint & collage, she voices concern for Indian people & the land that was once theirs. Sadly, I did to the pear what has been done to her people. I See Red: Snowman, 1992 oil and mixed media on canvas. Examines American Indian life in contrast to the consumerism of American society. Slide 20 With WNY connections, a world collected artist, her pear reflects the personal expressionism found in her work. Provenance/ Two-Tone 1975 Acrylic and tempera on canvas AKG 60 x 113 in. Seeking to reconcile a new interest in imagery with the vocabulary of abstraction Slide 21 One of the founders of Hallwalls, Buffalo, NY, her Untitled Film Series is in MOMAs collection. Her pear sits amidst garbage, in response to her Fairytales and Disasters Series, Garbage is painted with unexpected results. Disaster Series: Untitled #188 1989 43 x 65 Cindy is absent from this garbled image. Slide 22 Known for her work in geometric forms, collected world wide, including AKG. Her work inspired a pear to be cut up and arranged with a particular sense of design. Composition of circles and Semicircles 1953 Gouache on paper, 10 x 13 NMWA Slide 23 Photographer of over 3,000 images of people, crafts and landscapes the Appalachian Mountains, using archaic large-format cameras. I was prompted to work slowly, outdoors in limited color. Jason Reed 1933, a chair maker from North Carolina, working wood on the shave horse. Slide 24 Dedicated to the Surrealist movement in the 1930s, an excellent draftswoman,Varos work included distorted perspectives & unexplained narratives. Her pear floats within a fragment of her work: The Creation of Birds. Vagabond 1957 Oil on Masonite 22 x 10 5/8 in. Slide 25 Little known British painter of portraits, flowers and seascapes, her technique reflected impressionism. Called the best woman artist of that time. I bowed to paint her pear with flowers. Portrait: The hon. Mrs. Adams Circa 1901 oil on canvas Slide 26 Vienna born figurative painter, Hausner calls her work, human landscapes. My reaction: to paint a still life landscape using fruit to contrast the faded landscape. Lola hand-painted lithograph 35 x 45 in. Slide 27 A successful British photographer, she dressed her clients as Mythological Creatures and Goddesses. So, her pear was donned with jewels, befitting some mysterious subject. Lady Dorothy Warrender as Ceres, the ancient Italian Corn- Goddess. These grain mysteries were enacted by women only. Slide 28 ( 1887-1968) Marguerite and her husband William were both devoted to bringing Fauvism to America. Her pear floats in an abstract combing my figurative work with her landscape. ( she made me do it!) She and her husband William would paint on both sides of a canvas, I enlisted my husband Jim to paint a fragment of her work to honor them, thus it is shown with a two sided framing. Slide 29 Coni Minneci 1950- I am grateful to the artist I referenced and all women artist- my predecessors and contemporaries for their creative impulses and inspiration. I hope that my efforts and this series, honor their achievements and serve as a tribute to them. I intend to continue this project through more research into each womans life and their work to further communicate their stories through lectures, print materials and exhibitions.