Whitechapel Gallery's 'Action, Gesture, Paint' Exhibition Sparks Debate on All-Women Shows

The exhibition 'Action, Gesture, Paint: Women in Global Abstraction, 1940-1970' at the Whitechapel Gallery has ignited discussions regarding single-gender showcases. In her essay for the catalogue, Griselda Pollock describes these exhibitions as 'tactically necessary' for addressing sexist narratives. This display includes international abstract artworks, featuring Janet Sobel, whose drip painting method was overlooked by Clement Greenberg yet acknowledged in Jackson Pollock's pieces. Other notable artists are Maliheh Afnan, Janice Biala, Zilia Sánchez, and Else Fischer-Hansen. Although it claims to represent global artists, American creators are prevalent, often referencing male figures like Willem de Kooning. The exhibition, taking place in 2023, prompts reflection on the evolution of feminist critique and the implications of all-women exhibitions.