Contemporary Artists celebration of the Female Flower
Feminist Flower art is a powerful female statement that challenges traditional ideas about female sexuality. Contemporary feminist artists are exploding on to the art scene, in a resurgence like the 1970’s. From paintings to sculptures, artists have been exploring the beauty and complexity of the female body for centuries through flowers. Blooms are often depicted as a symbol of femininity and vitality by artists. They have a long history in art as a source of inspiration. Today, we are going to explore the bold influence of flowers in feminist paintings.
The Flowering Art of Feminism
Historical representations of female genitalia have been predominantly masculine, degrading, and unauthentic. However, Flower art has changed that for the better, as flowers have played a critical role in creating feminist art that is both bold and beautiful. By using flowers, artists have reclaimed the narrative around the female body and created a more authentic representation of the femininity, one which doesn’t compete against masculinity, but rather embodies its own authentic beauty. A great example of this is the large scale flower painting on canvas by contemporary feminist artist Lulabelle Horn, entitled Aphrodite’s Flower.https://lulabellehornart.com/gallery/
Abstract Flowers
Flowers have become a powerful symbol of rebirth, growth, and renewal. Many feminist artists have used flowers as a way to represent the natural beauty of the female body. For instance, Georgia O’Keefe https://www.okeeffemuseum.org/ has created beautiful paintings of flowers that are adorned with vivid abstract flowers. Her work inspires a new way of approaching feminist art that emphasizes nature and authenticity, a path contemporary artists like Lulabelle Horn have followed down.
In addition to this, flowers are used to break down taboos and they normalize the discussion around female sexuality. Artists like Lulabelle Horn https://lulabellehornart.com/ and Judy Chicago https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/exhibitions/dinner_party/ use flowers as a way to show how female energy can be celebrated and embraced. Their work is a statement of self-love for the female body that is often shamed and silenced.
The Censorship of Contemporary Feminist Artists
Moreover, the use of flowers in feminist art touches on the societal expectations that women face around beauty. Flowers are used as a metaphor for perfection and idealism, opposing the unrealistic pressures of the female form. Artists like Megumi Igarashi who works under the pseudonym Rokudenashiko https://www.glamour.com/story/rokudenashiko-japanese-artist-arrested-for-vagina-art took this symbolism further by creating an art installation known as the ‘Vagina Boat”. Rokudenashiko covered her boat in large white flower like female anatomy, drawing attention to the absurdity of censorship and the power of a female-centric art.
Conclusion
In conclusion, flowers have become a critical aspect in the evolution of feminist art. As these Flower artists have reclaimed the narrative around female sexuality and used blooms to create bold and authentic representations of the female body. The use of flowers also challenges the societal expectations of beauty and normalizes the discussion around female sexuality. Feminist flower art has finally given a new meaning to the oftentimes taboo, and shamed part of the female form. Now with the use of flowers, feminist art has become a bold and confident genre that is a great representation of feminism.