So I was googling images of the Women Warriors whom I will be portraying, and came across an intersting link. Aziza Bey is a Professor and Costume Historian, and hand-makes dolls of Great Women Leaders. The costume worn by each doll has been researched for historical accuracy. A woman after my own heart!
www.azizabey.com
So I want to know when the Boudicca doll will be ready!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
who thought French Conservatives could be Women Warriors?!
In today's New York Times I read an article entitled French Bill Takes Chic Out of Being Too Thin by Doreen Carvajal. To read this article click on the title--I linked it. You may have to sign-in or create a free account to read articles in the NYT.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Women Warriors after 1850: Captain Yekaterina Budanova
The following is from the Pratt Institue website.
Captain Katya Budanova flew with Lilya Litvyak in the 296 IAP, later renamed 73 Gv. IAP (Guards IAP). In the skies over Stalingrad, she once fought with a wingman against 12 enemy aircraft, ALONE against 13, and once with 3 other fighters against 19!
Captain Katya Budanova flew with Lilya Litvyak in the 296 IAP, later renamed 73 Gv. IAP (Guards IAP). In the skies over Stalingrad, she once fought with a wingman against 12 enemy aircraft, ALONE against 13, and once with 3 other fighters against 19!
She was killed in combat in July 18, 1943, when 2 Messerschmitt Me-109s attacked her. Budanova dispensed with one, but the second managed to shoot her down and escape the battle with a damaged plane. She had a final score of 11 confirmed kills. The archivist of 586 IAP, Yekaterina Polunina, accounts that "she downed over 20 aircraft".
There are some lovely photographs included on the site, so be sure to follow the above link to view them.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
WOMEN WARRIORS announced!
I have made the final decision on whom to portray in WOMEN WARRIORS for my grant cycle. My original proposal was to portray six women, but I have decided to portray eight. This allows me better opportunity to depict a wide array of women from different cultures and races from around the world. So, without further adieu I present the 2008 WOMEN WARRIORS!
Pharaoh Hatshepsut, Egypt, c. 1500 BC-1458 BC. The first Queen Regent to rule as Pharaoh, and one of only five women to do so. Regarded by Egyptologists as one of the most successful pharaohs, reigning longer than any other woman of an indigenous Egyptian dynasty.
Trung Trac and Trung Nhi, Vietnam, c. 12-43 AD. Two sisters who became leaders and successfully repelled Chinese invasions for three years. Most of their 36 generals were women, including their mother.
Zinga (Jinga) Mbandi, Africa, c. 1583 - 1663. Queen of the Ndongo and Matamba Kingdoms of the Mbundu people in southwestern Africa. Fought against Portugese slave trade, put women in positions of power.
Nanny of the Maroons, Jamaica, 18th Cent. National Heroine of Jamaica and a well-known leader of the Jamaican Maroons in the eighteenth century. Fought against Spanish slavers.
Nanye-hi (Nancy Ward), America, c. 1738–1822. Cherokee "Beloved Woman" who believed in peaceful coexistence with white people.
Deborah Sampson Gannet, America, 1760 -1827. The first known American woman to impersonate a man in order to join the Army, the first to fight in combat, and the first to receive a military pension.
Policarpa Salvarrieta "La Pola," Columbia, c. 1791 – 1817. "La Pola" was an orphaned seamstress who became an important strategist and spy, and fought in the Colombian revolution for independence from Spain. The Spanish put her to death in 1827, but Colombia did get its freedom.
Lakshmi Bai, The Rani of Jhansi, India, c. 1828 – 1858. One of the leading figures of the Indian Rebellion of 1857, and a symbol of resistance to British rule in India.
You have probably noticed I changed one of my earlier selections, Madeleine de Vercheres (Canada). I opted to do this for two reasons: Deborah Sampson Gannett was a top selection in my poll, and Deborah's involvement in the American Military is important to the role of women in the US Military in general. Never fear, the young and heroic Madeleine will make a future appearance.
Additionally you have probably noted that there are no figures from prominent Western or Eastern Europe countries, like Spain, Italy or Russia. It was very difficult to choose the eight women I selected from the group of over 80 names I collected. While there are many wonderful candidates from the various countries throughout Europe, since I already portrayed four caucasian women from the British Isles, I felt that cultural diversity should be a deciding factor in whom I selected. I hope this does not prove to be short-sighted on my part, but I feel the eight new women with the four existing women will make a really solid portfolio to present for further grants, exhibits, and possible gallery representation. Going forward with the WOMEN WARRIORS after I complete the Artist Initiative Grant I will feel freer to select an even broader base of women. Feel free to share your thought on this!
So now I can start looking for models! I don’t have all the pertinent information gathered on what each of these women may have looked like, but if you or anyone you know might be a good candidate, please contact me!
Pharaoh Hatshepsut, Egypt, c. 1500 BC-1458 BC. The first Queen Regent to rule as Pharaoh, and one of only five women to do so. Regarded by Egyptologists as one of the most successful pharaohs, reigning longer than any other woman of an indigenous Egyptian dynasty.
Trung Trac and Trung Nhi, Vietnam, c. 12-43 AD. Two sisters who became leaders and successfully repelled Chinese invasions for three years. Most of their 36 generals were women, including their mother.
Zinga (Jinga) Mbandi, Africa, c. 1583 - 1663. Queen of the Ndongo and Matamba Kingdoms of the Mbundu people in southwestern Africa. Fought against Portugese slave trade, put women in positions of power.
Nanny of the Maroons, Jamaica, 18th Cent. National Heroine of Jamaica and a well-known leader of the Jamaican Maroons in the eighteenth century. Fought against Spanish slavers.
Nanye-hi (Nancy Ward), America, c. 1738–1822. Cherokee "Beloved Woman" who believed in peaceful coexistence with white people.
Deborah Sampson Gannet, America, 1760 -1827. The first known American woman to impersonate a man in order to join the Army, the first to fight in combat, and the first to receive a military pension.
Policarpa Salvarrieta "La Pola," Columbia, c. 1791 – 1817. "La Pola" was an orphaned seamstress who became an important strategist and spy, and fought in the Colombian revolution for independence from Spain. The Spanish put her to death in 1827, but Colombia did get its freedom.
Lakshmi Bai, The Rani of Jhansi, India, c. 1828 – 1858. One of the leading figures of the Indian Rebellion of 1857, and a symbol of resistance to British rule in India.
You have probably noticed I changed one of my earlier selections, Madeleine de Vercheres (Canada). I opted to do this for two reasons: Deborah Sampson Gannett was a top selection in my poll, and Deborah's involvement in the American Military is important to the role of women in the US Military in general. Never fear, the young and heroic Madeleine will make a future appearance.
Additionally you have probably noted that there are no figures from prominent Western or Eastern Europe countries, like Spain, Italy or Russia. It was very difficult to choose the eight women I selected from the group of over 80 names I collected. While there are many wonderful candidates from the various countries throughout Europe, since I already portrayed four caucasian women from the British Isles, I felt that cultural diversity should be a deciding factor in whom I selected. I hope this does not prove to be short-sighted on my part, but I feel the eight new women with the four existing women will make a really solid portfolio to present for further grants, exhibits, and possible gallery representation. Going forward with the WOMEN WARRIORS after I complete the Artist Initiative Grant I will feel freer to select an even broader base of women. Feel free to share your thought on this!
So now I can start looking for models! I don’t have all the pertinent information gathered on what each of these women may have looked like, but if you or anyone you know might be a good candidate, please contact me!
Friday, March 28, 2008
modern Woman Warrior: Harlem Teacher goes to Antarctica for Science, and Pupils
Harlem science teacher Shakira Brown will be teaching her students at Promise Academy from Antarctica this fall. Please visit the New York Times to read the full article, written by Ozier Muhammad. (*note* you may have to sign up for a free NYT membership to read the article)
When asked about the upcoming adventure, Ms. Brown stated:
“I’m a young African-American teacher who came from a public school education, from an urban environment,” she went on. “My mom made less than $30,000 a year, and she raised me and four brothers. Now I’m in a position to empower all these people to have the same path that I was on.”
Shakira Brown gets my nomination for Woman Warrior of the week!
When asked about the upcoming adventure, Ms. Brown stated:
“I’m a young African-American teacher who came from a public school education, from an urban environment,” she went on. “My mom made less than $30,000 a year, and she raised me and four brothers. Now I’m in a position to empower all these people to have the same path that I was on.”
Shakira Brown gets my nomination for Woman Warrior of the week!
Thursday, March 20, 2008
"Wise Women Talk" lecture with Diane Mullin
The following info is from the MCAD website, and this event is part of their Women's Art Institute. The Women's Art Institute "offers educational opportunities to assist individuals in attaining philosophical, aesthetic and historical knowledge to help them define their goals as women artists."
Monday, March 31, 7pm
Minneapolis College of Art & Design
Auditorium 150
This event is free and open to the public. Diane Mullin, art historian and curator at the Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota, will speak about the year's current recognition of women artists in the exhibition "WHACK! Art and the Feminist Revolution" at MOCA in Los Angeles; "The International Feminist Art Exhibition" at the Brooklyn Museum in New York; and "WARM: 12 Artists of the Women's Art Registry of Minnesota," a recent exhibition at the Weisman Museum curated by Dr. Johanna Inglott. Dr. Mullin will also spotlight several artists whose work is contributing to the recognition of the questions being asked by women artists. Dr. Mullin earned her PhD in art history from Washington University in St. Louis. Her curatorial and scholarly work focuses on postwar and contemporary art. A faculty member at MCAD from 1998 to 2004, she also served as director of MCAD Gallery from 2002-04.
Monday, March 31, 7pm
Minneapolis College of Art & Design
Auditorium 150
This event is free and open to the public. Diane Mullin, art historian and curator at the Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum at the University of Minnesota, will speak about the year's current recognition of women artists in the exhibition "WHACK! Art and the Feminist Revolution" at MOCA in Los Angeles; "The International Feminist Art Exhibition" at the Brooklyn Museum in New York; and "WARM: 12 Artists of the Women's Art Registry of Minnesota," a recent exhibition at the Weisman Museum curated by Dr. Johanna Inglott. Dr. Mullin will also spotlight several artists whose work is contributing to the recognition of the questions being asked by women artists. Dr. Mullin earned her PhD in art history from Washington University in St. Louis. Her curatorial and scholarly work focuses on postwar and contemporary art. A faculty member at MCAD from 1998 to 2004, she also served as director of MCAD Gallery from 2002-04.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
One Woman's War
The following is reposted from the BBC News website. I was informed of this woman's work through Photo Betty, and went to view her article. I feel it is very poignant to repost here because Rita is a woman who is obviously making a difference, and because this is the five-year anniversary of the US-Iraq war.
Canadian photojournalist Rita Leistner traveled to Baghdad in 2003 as a freelance reporter determined to get behind the front lines of the war in Iraq. Over the next 18 months she returned to the country several times capturing images of life with the troops - as well as behind the scenes in a psychiatric hospital.
www.news.bbc.co.uk
Watching Rita's video diary reminds me of seeing the Pulitzer Prize Photography Exhibit a few years ago. This traveling exhibit, which I saw at the Minnesota Historical Society, was comprised of many iconic photos that we all know, such as the flag raising at Iwo Jima and the photo of a young Vietnamese girl who has just been napalmed. After spending hours at this exhibit I came to a very sad conclusion. While these photos are all very iconic and I enjoy them, and each time I look at them I learn something new, a vast majority of them were only made because of tragedy (war, disasters, etc). It is sad that so many powerful images are made because of what humans can do to one another, and it is sad that Rita's amazing images are made on the same principle. As Wordsworth once remarked in his poem Lines Written in Early Spring, "And much it grieved my heart to think/What man has made of man.." Perhaps the work of people like Rita Leistner will allow us to one day live in a world without war, ignorance and oppression. That, I think, is the goal of all Women Warriors.
To learn more about the traveling Pulitzer Exhibit follow these links:
www.newseum.org
www.mnhs.org
Canadian photojournalist Rita Leistner traveled to Baghdad in 2003 as a freelance reporter determined to get behind the front lines of the war in Iraq. Over the next 18 months she returned to the country several times capturing images of life with the troops - as well as behind the scenes in a psychiatric hospital.
www.news.bbc.co.uk
Watching Rita's video diary reminds me of seeing the Pulitzer Prize Photography Exhibit a few years ago. This traveling exhibit, which I saw at the Minnesota Historical Society, was comprised of many iconic photos that we all know, such as the flag raising at Iwo Jima and the photo of a young Vietnamese girl who has just been napalmed. After spending hours at this exhibit I came to a very sad conclusion. While these photos are all very iconic and I enjoy them, and each time I look at them I learn something new, a vast majority of them were only made because of tragedy (war, disasters, etc). It is sad that so many powerful images are made because of what humans can do to one another, and it is sad that Rita's amazing images are made on the same principle. As Wordsworth once remarked in his poem Lines Written in Early Spring, "And much it grieved my heart to think/What man has made of man.." Perhaps the work of people like Rita Leistner will allow us to one day live in a world without war, ignorance and oppression. That, I think, is the goal of all Women Warriors.
To learn more about the traveling Pulitzer Exhibit follow these links:
www.newseum.org
www.mnhs.org
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