Giant spider “Mama” and reverse embroidery technique: attended lectures on women in art

A lecture on women who changed art was held at the Museum of Naive Art on October 14, Mother’s Day. Details - in the material of the correspondent of the agency "Minsk-Novosti".

Visitors immersed themselves in the history of painting, textiles and world culture. The ironic title of the lecture – “How to be an artist if you can not draw” – concealed the stories of creative women who, to varying degrees, made a revolution in art.

If you ask what women artists we know, many people will immediately name the legendary Frida Kahlo and Yayoi Kusama. However, the world remembers and honors many more big names of the fair sex.

Thus, one of the key figures in the art of the XX and early XXI century - American sculptor, painter and graphic artist of French origin Louise Bourgeois - tried herself in a variety of areas of creativity.

- Her most famous works are giant spider sculptures. One of them is called "Mom." This image is associated with the history of the artist’s family, because her relatives were engaged in the restoration of tapestries, and her mother worked with fabric. Bourgeois compared her cousin to a spider, intelligent, patient, and able to protect himself. Her sculptures are both frightening and eye-catching, explained lecturer Victoria.

Another outstanding artist and designer, Tanya Agigniga, gave traditional craft techniques a new sound. In her practice, she combines modern design with work on natural fibers, creates large-scale installations, performances, art objects and even furniture.

- In one of the solo exhibitions, Tanya used fine gauze and turned to the technique of reverse embroidery. The artist painstakingly pulled individual threads from the fabric, and then applied the resulting openwork patterns to black velvet. In the light, they were formed into silhouettes of animals sacred to Mesoamerican cultures - coyotes, vultures and possums, the lecturer said.

Modern artist Masha Mosevich, born in St. Petersburg and living in Karelia, works with textiles and illustration, and oversees creative projects in children's camps. Her practice is another example of how familiar materials and techniques are gaining new meaning in contemporary art.

Moderator Victoria shared her own experience in painting, photography and working with textiles. The girl has a profile art education, she is fond of photography and continues to draw. Some of her works, by the way, are also presented in the Museum of Naive Art.

- I enjoyed the meeting. I discovered something new about the history of women in art. It was a very pleasant evening. Especially surprised spiders Louise Bourgeois, — said the audience Natalia.

After the lecture, the guests were able to communicate with the speakers, ask questions and discuss the work of the artists in more detail.

- I expected more women in the historical context of art. I would like to know about the artists of the XVIII, XIX and XX centuries. It is clear that at that time they were not so actively promoted, but I lacked the historical context. Despite this, the lecture turned out to be interesting and informative, said the viewer Alesya.

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