Laura Elkin's 'Art Monsters' Celebrates Feminist Body Art

In her 2023 book 'Art Monsters: Unruly Bodies in Feminist Art' from Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Laura Elkin sheds light on daring feminist artists who used body-centric art to push back against societal norms. The title is inspired by a line from Jenny Offill's 2014 novel 'Dept of Speculation', where a character expresses a desire to be an art monster instead of getting married. Elkin argues that the idea of being 'monstrous' is often linked to masculinity, leaving women in supporting positions, while their ambition or anger is seen as monstrous. The book is split into three parts: 'Monster Theory' explores the origins of feminist art through Julia Kristeva's ideas, while the other sections examine how artists redefine 'female excess and chaos'. Notable artists discussed include Laura Knight, Fanny Burney, Carolee Schneemann, and others, including Dana Schutz, who faced criticism for her portrayal of Emmett Till at the 2017 Whitney Biennial. Elkin, also known for 'Flâneuse' and 'No 91/92', delivers a vibrant examination that celebrates imperfections and challenges patriarchy.