Frieze London Launches Social Works Section to Address Gender Inequality in Art Market
Frieze London is adding a new section called Social Works to its 2018 show, happening from October 4 to 7 at Regent's Park. This part will focus on women artists from the 1980s who challenged the male-dominated art world. An 11-member panel, featuring Iwona Blazwick, Katrina Brown, and others, will select artists who use activism in their work to question societal norms. Blazwick pointed out that many female artists had to take teaching jobs in the '80s due to limited market options. A 2017 Freelands Foundation report showed only 22% of solo exhibitions in major London museums showcased women, a drop from 30% in 2016. The artists for Social Works will be announced soon.
Key facts
- Frieze London 2018 runs October 4-7 at Regent's Park.
- Social Works focuses on women artists from the 1980s who challenged the male-dominated art market.
- A committee of 11 women art historians and critics will select the artists.
- Iwona Blazwick stated there was no market for women artists in the 1980s.
- Jenny Holzer and Cindy Sherman are cited as artists who worked outside museums.
- A 2017 Freelands Foundation report found only 22% of solo shows at major London museums were by women, down 8% from 2016.
- Only 28% of artists represented by major London commercial galleries in 2017 were women, down 29% from 2016.
- Social Works follows the 2017 Sex Works section curated by Alison Gingeras.
Entities
Artists
- Iwona Blazwick
- Katrina Brown
- Louisa Buck
- Amira Gad
- Jennifer Higgie
- Melanie Keen
- Polly Staple
- Sally Tallant
- Fatos Üstek
- Zoe Whitley
- Lydia Yee
- Jenny Holzer
- Cindy Sherman
- Marijke Steedman
- Alison Gingeras
- Judith Bernstein
- Marilyn Minter
- Birgit Jürgenssen
- Renate Bertlmann
- Mary Beth Edelson
- Penny Slinger
Institutions
- Frieze London
- Whitechapel Art Gallery
- Freelands Foundation
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Regent's Park