Gender Disparity in London Galleries Amid Feminist Art Momentum
In 2007, a significant resurgence of feminist art activity emerged, marked by Martha Rosler's controversial catalog cover for WACK: Art and the Feminist Revolution and the opening of the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art at the Brooklyn Museum, which acquired Judy Chicago's Dinner Party. Jeremy Strick, director of LA's MOCA, noted numerous institutional programs highlighting women's history that year, while Amsterdam-based If I Can't Dance, I Don't Want To Be Part Of Your Revolution launched a touring program featuring artists like Keren Cytter and Frances Stark. The UK's response included three female Turner Prize nominees—Goshka Macuga, Cathy Wilkes, and Runa Islam—alongside summer exhibitions such as Pipilotti Rist's show at FACT in Liverpool and Mona Hatoum's at Parasol Unit. Karla Black's exhibition at West London Projects engaged with feminist legacies, and Cathy Wilkes presented a solo show at the Modern Institute in Glasgow in August. However, an analysis of London's major commercial galleries in October reveals a stark gender imbalance: only 11.6% of solo shows feature women artists, with 38 male to 5 female exhibitions listed, including presentations by Richard Serra at Gagosian and Henry Moore at Hauser & Wirth. This disparity persists despite earlier momentum, raising questions about the art market's commitment to feminist art beyond seasonal programming.
Key facts
- In 2007, feminist art gained prominence with events like the WACK exhibition and the opening of the Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art.
- Jeremy Strick commented on institutional programs highlighting women's history in 2007.
- The Turner Prize 2008 featured three female artists: Goshka Macuga, Cathy Wilkes, and Runa Islam.
- Summer 2008 saw exhibitions by female artists like Pipilotti Rist at FACT in Liverpool and Mona Hatoum at Parasol Unit.
- Cathy Wilkes had a solo exhibition at the Modern Institute in Glasgow in August 2008.
- London galleries in October 2008 showed a ratio of 38 male to 5 female solo exhibitions, or 11.6% female representation.
- Notable male artists with October shows included Richard Serra at Gagosian and Henry Moore at Hauser & Wirth.
- Amsterdam-based If I Can't Dance foundation tours programs to institutions in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Spain.
Entities
Artists
- Martha Rosler
- Judy Chicago
- Keren Cytter
- Falke Pisano
- Frances Stark
- Gerard Byrne
- Yael Davids
- Goshka Macuga
- Cathy Wilkes
- Runa Islam
- Mark Leckey
- Pipilotti Rist
- Mona Hatoum
- Karla Black
- Julian Opie
- Rafael Lozano Hemmer
- Josiah McElheny
- Robert Irwin
- Richard Serra
- Matt Bryans
- David Altmeid
- Henry Moore
- Adam Broomberg
- Oliver Chanarin
- Charles Avery
- Julian Rosefeldt
- Florian Hecker
- Gabriel Kuri
- Elmgreen & Dragset
- Phillip Pearlstein
- Thomas Zipp
- Patrick Hill
- Edward Lipski
- Roger Hiorns
- James Aldridge
- Philip Jones
- Giuseppe Penone
- Giuseppe Gabellone
- Thomas Housego
- Przemek Matecki
- Steven Claydon
- Matt Mullican
- Tom Gidley
- Philip Hausmeier
- Banks Violette
- Sam Dargan
- Toby Ziegler
- Peter Friedl
- Ryan Gander
- John Miller
- Bob Matthews
- Felix Gmelin
- Clegg & Guttman
- Mai-Thu Perret
- Catherine Opie
- Nina Beier
- Marie Lund
- Chosil Kil
- Sarah Lucas
Institutions
- MOCA
- Elizabeth A. Sackler Center for Feminist Art
- Brooklyn Museum
- If I Can't Dance, I Don't Want To Be Part Of Your Revolution
- FACT
- Parasol Unit
- West London Projects
- Modern Institute
- Lisson
- Haunch of Venison
- White Cube Hoxton Square
- White Cube Mason's Yard
- Gagosian
- Kate McGarry
- Stuart Shave
- Hauser & Wirth
- Paradise Row
- Max Wigram
- Sadie Coles Heddon Street
- Sadie Coles Balfour Mews
- Victoria Miro
- Alison Jacques
- The Approach E2
- The Approach W1
- Corvi-Mora
- David Risley
- Fred
- Frith Street Gallery
- Greengrassi
- Herald St
- Hollybush Gardens
- Hotel
- Karsten Schubert
- Limoncello
- Museum 52
- Maureen Paley
- Rokeby
- Simon Lee
- Spring Projects
- Store
- Sutton Lane
- Keith Talent
- Vilma Gold
- Wilkinson
- Timothy Taylor
- Stephen Friedman
- Laura Bartlett
- Riflemaker
- Sadie Coles South Audley Street
- Ms. Magazine
Locations
- Los Angeles
- United States
- Brooklyn
- New York
- Amsterdam
- Netherlands
- Denmark
- Spain
- Liverpool
- United Kingdom
- Glasgow
- London