Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?

In 1971, art historian Linda Nochlin made waves with her article “Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?”, now considered a pioneering essay in feminist art history.
In her introduction, she notes that the question falsifies the nature of the issue and that it insidiously supplies its own answer: “there are no great women artists because women are incapable of greatness”. Linda Nochlin then goes on to debunk common myths, such as the existence of a “feminine art” and certain narratives surrounding male artists, and details the institutional obstacles that have prevented women from succeeding in the arts world.
It’s been nearly 40 years since Nochlin’s landmark essay, but the ideas it presents are still just as important as ever. This is why, on Tuesday, March 15th, we’re gathering at Mirzoyan Library to have an open discussion. The event will be introduced with a presentation providing background, context, and talking points by HAYP Pop Up Gallery.
We (strongly) encourage you to read this amazing essay, available online: http://www.artnews.com/2015/05/30/why-have-there-been-no-great-women-artists/
This will be the second gathering of LET'S TALK by The Yerevan Underbelly, where we gather around an interesting topic from a 20th century thinker in one of Yerevan's cafés and say what's on our minds. This talk will also be the first collaboration between The Yerevan Underbelly and HAYP Pop Up Gallery, and will hopefully will start a conversation… to be continued with HAYP Pop Up Gallery’s upcoming exhibition “Lips of Pride’ (April 8-18) that will invite women artists to explore the topic of women’s sexuality and societal perceptions of shame in Armenia.
Following the talk will be a performance by local all-female band 1243K, which will take place next door at Zatar Pizza, at 21:30! Don’t miss it!