Northwest Women Artists
Many of the artworks pictured here were included in an exhibition and accompanying catalogue titled, Show of Hands: Northwest Women Artists 1880-2010. The exhibition coincided with the centennial of women's suffrage in Washington State and surveyed the contributions made by women to the legacy of Pacific Northwest art. Highlighting work in all media by artists from Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia, Show of Hands presented an intergenerational dialogue as the exhibition unfolded thematically and chronologically.
Show of Hands featured geometric and biomorphic abstract artworks created to convey transcendental experiences and the beauty of form. It also focused on artists whose approach was more representational. Some interpreted the figure to express personal or communal stories that referenced historical, social, and environmental issues. Many found inspiration in Native American art. The heritage of women's handicrafts is given a new twist by contemporary artists who reinterpret skills passed down through generations. The exhibition also included a wide variety of landscapes, which inspired many of the earliest artists.
Show of Hands offered only a partial glimpse of the many talented artists who contributed to the heritage of the region. The creativity of this gathering of women hopefully stimulated insights that informed future studies on the subject.
Curated and written by Barbara Matilsky
