Shawn Mathew’s Post

The evolving role of self-portraiture in our age of selfies and social media is more than just a trend; it's a powerful reflection of our identities and experiences. Artists featured in the Beyond Likeness exhibition challenge traditional views, using their work to explore themes of gender, culture, and personal history. As we navigate through their artworks—ranging from performance pieces to striking sculptures—we're prompted to think about how we represent ourselves and the narratives we create. What’s even more compelling is how these diverse artists share their personal stories and struggles, inviting us all to reflect on our own experiences and connections. So, where do you stand? Are we truly beyond likeness, or does traditional representation still hold value in exploring personal identity? Join the conversation and let’s dive deeper into this fascinating dialogue. 🤔✨ #ArtMatters #Identity #Representation #SelfPortraiture #BeyondLikeness #ArtCommunity https://lnkd.in/gFFUhBSj

Explore the brilliance of Middle Eastern women artists featured in the fourth edition of Menart Fair, as highlighted in this article by AD Middle East. From breaking gender norms to exploring folklore and identity, these artists redefine boundaries and showcase the power of artistic expression. Immerse yourself in the article to discover the compelling works of these visionary women - https://trib.al/FsMHcn6

Between 2008 and 2019, only 2% ($4 billion) of the $196.6 billion spent at art auctions was for female artists' works. High-end art shows a stark contrast; while Leonardo da Vinci's "Salvator Mundi" sold for $450 million, the highest for a female artist is $44.4 million for Georgia O'Keeffe's piece. Contemporary records also highlight this gap: Jeff Koons' "Rabbit" sold for $91 million, whereas Jenny Saville’s “Propped” fetched $12.4 million. Research from 1970 to 2016 reveals female artists' works sell for 42% less than male artists'. Despite the disparities, there are emerging signs of improvement for female artists. Increase in Interest for Female Artists ✔ Despite bias, interest in art by female artists is growing, with prices reflecting this trend. ✔ BBC reports that secondary market prices for female artists' works are rising 29% faster than for male artists. ✔ Art Basel and UBS surveys show a rising representation of female artists in high-net-worth collections: 40% in recent surveys, up from 33% in 2018. ✔ Tacit (online gallery and art consultancy dedicated to female artists) notes increased interest in diverse art. Clients request broader representation, including female, artists of color, and LGBTQ+ artists. ✔ Tacit is optimistic about younger generations shifting art collecting preferences, focusing more on emerging and diverse artists over traditional blue chip art. Works by female artists are becoming promising investments, available at discounted prices and appreciating faster than those by male artists. Whether due to collectors seeking higher returns or genuine appreciation, this trend offers more opportunities for female artists. Excerpt from: https://lnkd.in/eUYsUZ9z Get inspired: https://lnkd.in/emGbsfim Phaidon and Monacelli continue to publish significant books by and about trailblazing, visionary, and creative #women. At the International Women’s Month, we reflect on and celebrate the ones who inspire us. #womenshistorymonth #femaleartists #art #investment

Oracles Prophesying the 2024 Art Market in the attached article: My Three Cents: (i) Buy art from those who are uplifting humanity - they deserve your investment more than anyone else; (ii) Support BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ & Women who have dedicated their lives to being full-time working artists - they struggle the most; (iii) and, buy pieces that have the power to shift narratives and inspire the world - We all need it - desperately - right now more than ever before. Lesley, Atma & Alchemy Art

The painting's surface is densely covered with bindis, creating a textured and intricate pattern. The blue background, noted for its metallic quality, adds a layer of depth and contrast, enhancing the vibrancy of the bindis. This interplay of color and texture invites viewers to look closely, revealing the meticulous placement and subtle variations in the bindis. The slight lifting of a few bindis at the edges adds to the organic quality of the piece, as if the work itself is alive and in a state of flux. Kher's use of the bindi, especially in this profusion and scale, can be seen as a commentary on the traditional roles assigned to women in Indian society. By expanding the bindi from a small, personal symbol to a dominant feature of her artwork, Kher critiques the limitations and expectations placed on women. The mention of the bindi's association with demure femininity being slyly undermined is particularly significant. Kher's bindis, often shaped like sperm, introduce a provocative element that challenges traditional gender roles and the notion of femininity as passive or submissive. Exhibited in the Saatchi Gallery's "The Empire Strikes Back – Indian Art Today" (2009), this work was part of a broader exploration of contemporary Indian art and its dialogue with global themes. Kher's work stands out for its ability to merge personal, cultural, and political narratives, using a simple, yet powerful symbol to question and redefine identity and gender. Right in the Middle of it All" is a vivid example of Bharti Kher's ability to use culturally significant symbols to engage with complex issues of identity, gender, and cultural history. The work's rich texture, striking color palette, and layered symbolism make it a significant piece in contemporary art, reflecting both the artist's unique perspective and the broader conversations within Indian and global art contexts. #BhartiKher #ContemporaryArt #IndianArt #FeministArt #CulturalSymbols #Bindis #ArtAnalysis #SaatchiGallery #GenderRoles #IdentityInArt #ArtAndCulture #ArtisticExpression #ModernArt #SymbolismInArt

The colors of magic and nature well combined in a beautiful representation of feminity. https://lnkd.in/g3kwTz5Q

Great article about the show in Detroit, Mighty Real Queer Detroit "I'll Be Your Mirror," includes images of several artists from the show, including my, "Marine Corps Uniform c1970," 2000: 23 BW Photographs of strangers on Miami Beach wearing my father's Marine Corps Uniform. #portraiture #art #artist #photography #portraitphotography #conceptual #conceptualart

Exploring the profound impact of the Free the Nipple movement, this photo essay delves into the fight for bodily autonomy and equality. It highlights the historical roots of societal constraints on women's bodies and the courageous efforts to dismantle these norms. Celebrating the resilience and defiance of those challenging outdated conventions and advocating for a more inclusive and just society. #BodilyAutonomy #Equality #FreeTheNipple 4o

The #VeniceBiennale theme, ‘Foreigners Everywhere’, is a rather interesting paradox. Here’s what it got me thinking. At its core, "Foreigners Everywhere" acknowledges the diverse range of experiences and perspectives beyond the mainstream art canon. It recognises that "foreign" goes beyond nationality, including any form of otherness such as gender, sexuality, or culture. The Biennale features many artists and art practices from the Global South, such as the Bangalore-based Aravani Art Project and Australia’s Mataaho Collective. The Arsenale also has historically marginalised art forms like textiles, embroidery, and weaving. So, here’s the catch. The title “Foreigners Everywhere” ironically exposes the enduring dominance of Western-centric structures and underlying power dynamics. The fact that the theme is perceived as a departure from the norm, does the art world still lean towards ideas and voices from the more mature markets and traditionally “classic” geographies? The Biennale is undoubtedly a significant step towards a more equitable and diverse art world. Still, it asks us to rethink our assumptions about who defines cultural value and significance. Who gets to decide what’s foreign and what’s not? What do you think? #VeniceBiennale #VeniceBiennale2024 #Art #Diversity #Inclusion Image: Aravani Art Project, Installation view of Diaspore, 2024, Venice Biennale. Source: Artsy Aravani Art Project

“Sotheby’s disappointing Modern and Contemporary Evening Auction, held in London last Wednesday, seems to suggest a market more interested in buying art by women than of them. While this may seem like a good thing on the surface, fears of a market based on overly figurative works hurtling towards a glass cliff may not be unfounded - and it’ll be women paying the price for the Icarian fall, as the ardent penchant for female-produced artworks implies a conciliatory economy in which women artists and their collectors are left to pick up the slack as the cultural pendulum swings south.” In this article I take a look back at why female artists doing well at auctions that can otherwise be considered disappointing has been a recurring trend over recent months, and argued that while the S&P500 and the NASDAQ have risen to new all-time highs, the art market will continue to pull back from its post-Covid benchmarks and any art institution worth their salt will be watching the inverse correlation between equities and art with at least a little bit of apprehension. #artmarket #artfinance #contemporaryart https://lnkd.in/gAwimvaW