Free Art History!!!!

In the spirit of Red76, we decided to spread a little postive art propaganda! We're posting these in cafes, laundromats, and any community bulletin boards we feel need more than the typical flyers for pet groomers, yoga classes, etc...

Since PSA is made up of women artists, we decided to start our free art history lessons with two female artists who are a part of our family tree so to speak.

The first, Mary Cassatt, may seem conventional to our eyes in 2006, but her portrayal of women and children going about their daily activities was actually quite revolutionary in her day. Mary portrayed women at the theatre, doing laundry, out boating, etc... Cassatt was quite independent: she lived alone in Paris even though she was American, she never married, and she held her own with many of the male Impressionists.

The second, Kathe Kollwitz, has inspired countless political movements to incorporate art and propaganda. Her posters, drawings and prints of those affected by war, hunger, poverty, and sorrow, communicate despite the lack of text. It is easy to see her influence, even if it is unconscious, on movements like the Black Panther Party. She integrated her art, politics, and life seamlessly, as she saw her purpose as making art to effect change in society.