Exquisite Arts Magazine Vol 7: Fall Issue- Oct/2017 | Page 25

those who were not born genetically female and therefore have called for an addition of a transgendered monologue to be added. It’s interesting to note that many colleges have put on variations of The Vagina Monologues often with monologues of their own pre-written based off the individual experiences of the women on those campuses. Francesca Woodman, Photography Francesca Woodman’s photography offers a staunch and dramatic look at the female form, presented as both a work of art as well as a paradoxical vessel of of pain versus pleasure. Often her photography would feature nude female models, often herself, comprised of long exposures and various plays on lighting, often in damaged, crumbling rooms. Her photography has been regarded as some of the most unique and genius work to date by a female photographer, especially when the photography world was still primarily a man’s world and featured mainly male artists. Francesca Woodman used a lot of shadow elements in her work and often littered her photography with imagery such as women looking longingly into mirrors or photographed in protective stances when simple floral arrangements sat just behind the corner, perhaps a visual display of the constant hunt for the beauty within and the difficulty that often comes with being a woman. Unfortunately due to a combination of what still is debated to this day, Francesca Woodman committed suicide in 1981 at the age of 22. Her work had never been overly displayed and it’s believed by her father that yet another rejection letter for funding was the final straw in what remains to be seen as a troubled, yet creatively brilliant life. Francesca Woodman’s work now routinely tours around and is displayed in various books, journals and galleries, particularly in New York where she lived prior to her dea th. Her work to this day still incites debate over its meaning, but remains to conversation starter due to its charisma and daring use of shadow and light. Louise Bourgeois, Sculpture Louise Bourgeois was a prolific sculpture artist but also painted and did printmaking. Her large scale sculptures won praise and acclaim along with various installation art. She worked with a number of artists on collaborations and while she was never tied or associated with any one specific artistic movement, her various works over the years could be contributed to movements such as surrealism, feminism and abstract art. Some of her pieces explored the complex relationships between parents and children, particularly her piece The Destruction of the Father, in which a huge womb-like structure is created using soft materials and as the visitor enters they eventually come across a murder scene where four children have killed their father and eaten him. The symbolism of an oppressive father and the eventual rebellion of children is pronounced and perhaps even extreme, lending itself to the viewer potentially relating their own experiences with oppressive father-like figures to the installation. The Destruction of the Father Perhaps one of her most popular works is Maman, created in 1999 but envisioned in 1946, a giant spider cast in metal, 30 feet high and 33 feet wide. It is on display in Ottawa outside the National Gallery of Canada along with other permanent installations in the likes of the UK’s Tate Modern, the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain and the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo. The symbolism represents the strength of her mother, a weaver and the helpful, clever Page 24