Women and Art: The Relationship through the Ages

It is an odd thing but, recently, in terms of my relationship with the people here at theCafe,  I have sensed the emergence of a feeling of curiosity about myself, my origins and my interests. Indeed, I appear to have acquired a reputation –  entirely undeserved in my view – for a particular interest in ‘the ladies’. For example, in his book The Seraglio Game, Michael appears to credit(?Ed.) me with the erotic sexuality of the work – whereas, I merely helped a bit along the way as some Western European men appear to have long-held preconceptions of what is widely considered to be right and proper.

But the truth is less interesting! I am getting older and content with the journey life has given me and I like to explore concepts and preconceptions that are about mankind’s direction and I can, perhaps, be a bit provocative, or, disturbing, even.

This is why, when I was approached by the team here at the magazine,  I thought it would be interesting and, perhaps, fun to attempt a series of articles about ‘women, art and the creative process’.  I know, I know; men writing about women and all that but, this is theCafe, and if I benefit from ideas and comments – especially from ‘the ladies’ –  then, I promise, I will credit the source and share where I can.

Once you look at the topic, and give it the gravity it surely deserves, it is redolent with potentially interesting possibilities, some of which might be thought to be risqué which, in my case, renders it almost irresistible when it comes to creative writing.

Of course, there are many possibilities in the idea of writing about ‘women and art’. It may be about ‘women’ (or the singular) as the ‘subjects’ of art – beauty, sexuality and ‘faith’ (in terms of the latter I refer to a primordial desire to present women’s reproductive ability and organs as the source of life and as ‘inspiration)’.  Also, as ‘artists and artistic creators’, and, in addition, in their role of ‘influence’ in society and how we live. There are also, and inevitably, given a modern woman’s emergent role in the society we now know, valid questions currently as to ‘exploitation’, ‘stimulation,’ ‘abuse’  and ‘subjugation’.

Moreover, quotes such as “Despite the emergence of great female figures in recent years – women artists still suffer from late recognition in comparison to their male counterparts”; tell us there remains far to go on the topic. A quick bit of research has shown me that there are very many scholarly and academic papers around the implications herein and it will be my pleasure to put some of them in front of my reader (if I am so lucky!) in a form that is, Insha’Allah, ‘accessible’.

In terms of the latter, if art is truly something done for personal pleasure without regard to what is practical or necessary, how does that work in modern life when there is no food on the table? That is why we shall think about women in the present environment as patrons of the arts. We shall also extend that and consider how empowering it is that art is now available in so many ways. Some electronic but also some in physical form but made accessible and affordable by technology – including posters, calendars and cards.

‘He has not a lot to say, then’,  you might opine, but in the coming weeks, I will try to make it an interesting and rewarding journey for those who might like to accompany me.

Meanwhile from home, here in the hills overlooking the lakes; “carpe diem”