“Making Their Mark” Exhibition Goes on Tour

“Making Their Mark” Exhibition Goes on Tour

by | Mar 21, 2024 | Art

Making Their Mark Exhibition Goes on Tour

Future Trends in the Exhibition of Women Artists

Since its opening in November at the former Dia Foundation building in New York, the “Making Their Mark” exhibition has seen great success, attracting around 50,000 visitors. Now, the exhibition is set to embark on a planned tour, making stops at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, followed by the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Exhibition’s Origin and Mission

The “Making Their Mark” exhibition was born as a book by collector Komal Shah, who has been steadily collecting work by postwar and contemporary women artists. Shah’s goal was to bring more visibility to these women artists and their contributions to the art world. The resulting book, “Making Their Mark: Art by Women in the Shah Garg Collection,” was published last year and includes essays by curators such as Mark Godfrey and Katy Siegel.

The exhibition was curated by Cecilia Alemani, the curator of the 2022 Venice Biennale, known for its high representation of artworks by women. The show showcases artists like Joan Mitchell, Suzanne Jackson, Joan Semmel, and Kay WalkingStick, among others.

A Collaboration with the American Federation of Arts

The American Federation of Arts (AFA), which travels exhibitions to institutions throughout the United States, has taken on the “Making Their Mark” exhibition and is now planning an extended tour. AFA director Pauline Forlenza was impressed by the exhibition and saw the opportunity to tell the stories of underrepresented women artists and elevate their work.

Forlenza and Shah discussed the possibility of the exhibition, or a subset of it, going to regional museums across the country. The exhibition committee at AFA approved the show, and now plans are underway to organize the traveling version of the exhibition.

The Future of the Exhibition

As the “Making Their Mark” exhibition prepares for its tour, several future trends and possibilities can be anticipated:

  1. Increased Visibility for Women Artists: With the exhibition traveling to different institutions across the country, more people will have the opportunity to see and appreciate the work of women artists. This will contribute to a broader recognition and appreciation for their talent and creativity.
  2. Collaborative Curatorial Approach: Curator Cecilia Alemani will remain the show’s curator, but will collaborate with curators at each individual institution. This collaborative approach will ensure that the exhibition remains relevant and engaging to the diverse audiences at each location.
  3. Community Impact: Shah expresses her desire to work with museums to inspire students and make a long-lasting impact on local communities. This suggests that the exhibition will not only be a platform for showcasing women artists but also an opportunity for educational outreach and engagement with the public.
  4. Raising Awareness for Women Artists: By touring the exhibition to different venues, more people will have the chance to learn about the challenges faced by women artists both in the past and in the present. This increased awareness can lead to further discussions and actions to address gender disparities in the art world.

Recommendations for the Industry

To further promote the recognition and appreciation of women artists, the art industry can take the following steps:

  1. Institutional Support: Institutions should actively seek out and showcase the work of women artists. This includes both solo exhibitions and integrating their work into group shows. By making a conscious effort to feature women artists, institutions can contribute to a more balanced representation in the art world.
  2. Education and Outreach: Collaborations between museums and educational institutions can help expose students to the work of women artists and provide opportunities for engagement. This can include guided tours, workshops, and educational programs that focus on the contributions and challenges faced by women artists.
  3. Critical Analysis and Art Criticism: Critics and art historians should pay attention to the work of women artists and provide thoughtful analysis and commentary. This can help to validate and promote their work, bringing it into critical discourse.
  4. Continued Research and Documentation: Scholars and researchers should continue to explore the history and contributions of women artists. This includes uncovering overlooked artists and providing comprehensive documentation of their work. Such efforts will further build awareness and appreciation for women artists.

In conclusion, the upcoming tour of the “Making Their Mark” exhibition and the collaboration with the American Federation of Arts present significant opportunities for the promotion and recognition of women artists. By increasing visibility, fostering collaboration, and engaging with communities, the exhibition can have a lasting impact on the perception and representation of women artists in the art world.

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