Because I Had to (Yay Art!)

Here is something that we don't do enough as a class. Share and celebrate women-hood. We get so caught up in all the "work" of feminism that their is no celebration. Well here I have decided to list a few of my favorite artist who are women. Women who have surpised, challenge, and engaged me. Artist who have changed the way in which I perceive the world and some of whom's works I am completely enamored with.

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Frida Kahlo - Love Frida, love this portrait. One of Fridas best in my opinion.






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Gwendolyn Brooks - Just recently discovered this amazing poets work. Included is a link of "Negro Hero" which I absolutely recommend, it's incredible.



Excerpt from "Negro Hero,"

"I had to kick their law into their teeth in order to save them.
However, I have heard that sometimes you have to deal
Devilishly with drowning men in order to swim them to shore
Or they will haul themselves and you to the trash and the fish beneath,
(When I think of this, I do not worry about a few
Chipped teeth.)"

http://www.unz.org/Pub/CommonGround-1945q2-00044

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Patti Smith - One of my favorite attitudes from the punk rock era.


From "Babelogue"

"In heart I am a Moslem; in heart I am an American; In heart I am Moslem, in heart I'm an American artist, and I have no guilt. I seek pleasure. I seek the nerves under your skin. The narrow archway; the layers; the scroll of ancient letters. We worship the flaw, the belly, the belly, the mole on the belly of an exquisite whore. He spared the child and spoiled the rod. I have not sold myself to God."


<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2wDmR4sYZ2U" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

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Sharon Olds - Another one of my favorites. Met her at a reading in central park, she was lovely. Included is a link to a couple of her poems.




http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/m_r/olds/poems.htm

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Mary Harron - Not only gets a spot for being one of the few female voices in mainstream film today, but specificly for directing "American Psycho" which if anyone has seen, is just beyond quick words.All of Harron's movies, while there aren't many, adress the issue of "Women," specificly "I shot Andy Warhol" and "The Notorious Betty Page."



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Ida Presti - One of my Personal Heroes and virtually unknown due to a relatively young death. One of the worlds greatest Guitarist.





<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pHrYmwGgjg0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

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Andrea Gibson - She is one of the biggest up and coming performers of slam poetry. I found this through a friend a couple of semesters ago and have been promoting her ever since. Seriously Recommend her work. She performs regularly at colleges and night clubs.



The video I'm posting is opened by a little guitar intro so don't mind that, the poem itself is great.

"Lover, I smashed my glass slipper to build a stain-glassed window for every wall lit inside my chest. Now my heart is a pressed flower in a taterred bible, it is the one verse you can trust, so I'm putting all of my words in your collection plate. I am setting the table with bread and grace. My knees are bent like the corner of a page, I am saving your place."

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MXc8Ct7qezY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>


And

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/BCIu7-r1yK0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

"Once I found a butterfly's wing on the sidewalk, I wanted to keep it but I didn't. I knew there were things I should never find beutiful like death, or girls."

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Feel free to respond or add  to the list women artist who you think are the *hit.