Sparkling Amazons

Sparkling Amazons presents the often-overlooked contribution by women artists to the Abstract Expressionist movement and the significant role they played as bold innovators within the New York School during the 1940s and 50s. Through the presentation of some 30 works of art alongside archival material and documentary photography, the exhibition captures an important moment in the history of Abstract Expressionism. The catalyst for this project is the groundbreaking 9th St. Show arranged by avant-garde artists with the help of the fledgling gallerist, Leo Castelli in 1951. The show became a pivotal moment for the emergence and acceptance of Abstract Expressionism. The artists of the 9th St. Showhad struggled to gain critical recognition having been shut out by museums and galleries due to the radical nature of their work. Of the more than 60 artists in the show, including many who were to become prominent figures in Abstract Expressionism, only 12 were women. This is the first time works by these revolutionary women will be brought together since the 9th St. Show took place 68 years ago.  At the time, the women were referred to as “Sparkling Amazons,” a tongue-in-cheek designation that underscored the patronizing attitude of the time. These women would neither have viewed themselves as “amazons” nor as feminists; they simply worked and lived as artists, pursuing their professions with the same dedication as their male counterparts even though the social stakes were much higher for them at the time. Several of the artists, including Lee Krasner, Joan Mitchell, Elaine de Kooning and Helen Frankenthaler went on to have distinguished careers and have found their rightful place in the art historical canon. Others, including Grace Hartigan, Perle Fine and Anne Ryan, enjoyed critical success. The remainder, Sonia Sekula, Day Schnabel, Yvonne Thomas, Jean Steubing and Guitou Knoop are yet to be recognized by art history, a fact that this exhibition addresses.