Philanthropist Wilhelmina Cole Holladay would ask this question of everyone she met: can you name five women artists? Most of the time, they could list one or two, but five? Not even close. This realization led her on a lifelong journey to support and collect art by women – and establish the first museum dedicated solely to championing women artists.
The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) is in downtown D.C., a few blocks from the White House, and is the only place in the city you are guaranteed to see artwork only by women. Statistics continually show a gigantic gender gap in gallery representation, museum exhibitions and collections, and auction results – even though more women are graduating with art degrees. This gap is also reflected in education: it wasn’t until 1987 that a single woman artist was added to the standard art history textbook. So if you cannot name five women artists, it could be because you never learned about their existence.
In the quest for gender equity, a visit to NMWA is a great idea for getting started and exposing your family to the amazing achievements of women artists. Here are five women artists and artworks currently on view to get you started:
Frida Kahlo, Self Portrait Dedicated to Leon Trotsky, 1937
Chances are you have heard of this artist: the Mexican painter is world-famous for her self-portraits and works inspired by the nature and artifacts of her home country. However, NMWA is the only public collection in D.C. with a Kahlo work – you can see the real thing! Here, she presents herself elegantly clothed in a long embroidered skirt, fringed shawl and delicate gold jewelry. What other details do you see?
Joana Vasconcelos, Viriato, 2005
Woof! Meet NMWA’s dog – but what is covering him up? Portuguese artist Vasconcelos is known for enveloping everyday items, such as pianos, laptops or decorative objects such as this lawn ornament, in crocheted and knitted material. The intricate needlework contrasts sharply with the mass-produced pup. What do you think of when you see the green needlework? What patterns can you find? If you like this, make sure to check out Rubra, a beautiful red chandelier by the same artist, hanging in the museum’s rotunda.
Chakaia Booker, Acid Rain, 2001
At first glance, it is a bit hard to tell what this monumental work is made from: sliced up rubber tires. It weighs over 2,000 pounds, roughly the size of a hippo! Booker used saws and drills to make Acid Rain, which is a long way from the traditional canvas and paintbrush you might imagine when you think of artmaking. She wanted to show that women can work with tools and materials that are tough, and make large, imposing art—while still meticulous and beautiful. What kinds of materials could you use to make art?
Alma Woodsey Thomas, Orion, 1973
Thomas has a distinct style that has been likened to mosaics; you can see individual brush strokes repeated over and over. Here, she was inspired by NASA photographs coming from the Apollo missions and new satellites. She declared herself captivated by the “heavens and stars and my idea of what it was like to be an astronaut, exploring space.” Thomas lived in D.C. for much of her life, and became an important role model for women, African Americans and older artists. How do you think you might recreate her technique at home? What would inspire you, and what color(s) would you choose?
Kiki Kogelnik, Superwoman, 1973
Kogelnik moved to New York City from Austria in 1961 and was influenced by the pop art movement. However, instead of using soup cans or Mickey Mouse in her works, she paints large, powerful women. This is likely a self-portrait, and she wears a flamboyant jumpsuit, large aviator sunglasses and black boots. She holds giant scissors, a tool she often used to create stencils and silhouettes. This painting is quite large and sits at the bottom of a grand staircase; it is a fun one to pose with for a photo! If you were a superhero, what pose would you strike?
NMWA is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are available online and in person. Admission is $16 for adults, $13 for D.C. residents and free for anyone under 21. Admission is free the first Sunday and second Wednesday of every month.
Deborah L. Gaston is director of education and interpretation, National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C. Since 2005, she has supervised all aspects of the museum’s educational and interpretive programming and resources, including the development of NMWA’s signature Art, Books, and Creativity Teacher Institute, “Fierce Women” tours and See For Yourself interative art cards. She regularly collaborates with NMWA’s curators on exhibitions.
