Heroines of Abstract Expressionism and FEM at Nassau County Museum of Art
There is something fantastically unapologetic about both Heroines of Abstract Expressionism and FEM, two exhibits currently on display at the Nassau County Museum of Art.
As soon as you walk through the door, Janice Biala’s beautiful piece from 1967 is looking down at you, ‘Untitled (Reine - Brunset Blancs, Isabella of Bourbon) challenges you to tell her that women can’t make great art.
Untitled (Reine - Brunset Blancs, Isabella of Bourbon), 1967 : Janice Biala, born 1903 Poland - died 2000 France
The Heroines of Abstract Expressionism exhibit is organised somewhat chronologically, with the first gallery focusing on the origins of the movement. Characterised by experimental, gestural, nonrepresentational painting, often on dramatically large canvases, Abstract Expressionism began in New York City in the late 1940’s and was the first specifically American style to achieve international influence.
The first twentyish years of this style are celebrated by showcasing work created mainly by the women who pioneered the movement, including; Lee Krasner, Mary Abbott, Grace Hartigan, Elaine de Konning, Perle Fine, Dorothy Dehner, Michael West, Helen Frankenthaler, and Audrey Flack.
Into the next gallery (and possibly one of my favourite collections of paintings ever) we jump forward a few years and begin incorporating some more recent works by Anna Leonhardt, Louise Fishman, and Shirley Jaffe.
If you couldn’t already tell I am a huge fan of abstract art, especially abstract expressionism, and I felt that the curators of this exhibit definitely shared by love. It sounds strange to type, but these works were like a giant huge, a stunning collection of work across two centuries.
Indian Village, Rajasthan, 1977 : Françoise Gilot, born 1921, France
Moving into the next gallery and to the FEM exhibit, the works shift to international contemporary art, with an impressive amount of sculpture and some pieces from the 19th century. Admittedly it’s a strange combination, but it was all fantastic art made by women, so I was happy.
Particular highlights included work by Ghada Amer, Rona Pondick, Françoise Gilot, Wangechi Mutu, and Käthe Kollwitz… I did say it was quite the mix!
This is an excellent collection of work by women artists and I truly enjoyed looking at how women’s art has adapted and changed over the years.
Find out more by watching this excellent tour of the exhibit, where staff from the Nassau County Museum of Art showcase some of their favourite pieces.
Heroines of Abstract Expressionism is on display at Nassau County Museum of Art until 25th April 2021.
Nassau County Museum of Art, One Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor, NY 11576. Book your timed ticket here.