Gendered Notions of Craft
Beverly Semmes, Flip, 2024. Faux fur, chiffon, acrylic over photograph printed on canvas. 81 x 67 x 23 in. Photo: Jason Mandella. Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Susan Inglett Gallery, NYC.
Regardless of the materials used in Semmes’s work—whether soft fabrics, earthen clay, or everyday paper and paint—the concept of craft and its often-gendered connotations have been part of her work since the beginning of her career. Semmes mines materiality and gendered expectations to create rich works, often making women’s labor visible. To explore both historic and contemporary notions of craft as “women’s work,” take a look at these resources.
Contemporary Sculpture and Art History
Beverly Semmes, Boulders, 1980s. Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist.
During her time at the SMFA, Semmes learned art history that would build a foundation of knowledge which she subsequently challenged, continuing to push the norms of sculpture in particular. Whether making direct reference to Cezanne’s compositions in Yellow Ghost and Green Ghost pieces, or rethinking minimalist sculpture, Semmes’s work is rooted in art history. The following resources provide context for art historical references and contemporary sculpture.
Influenced by Fashion
Beverly Semmes, In and around the garden, 1993. Digital video loop from Super 8 Film.Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Susan Inglett Gallery, NYC.
As evidenced by works such as House Dress, Buried Treasure, 4’33”, and her work in CarWash Collective, Semmes is deeply influenced by and enamored with the world of fashion. With a keen eye for fabrics and a background in performance, Semmes meshes both art and fashion throughout her artistic practice. Dive deeper into current scholarship about textiles and art/fashion crossovers in these sources.
Women’s Sexuality & Desire
Beverly Semmes, Four Hands, 2024. Acrylic over photograph printed on canvas. 64.75 x80 x 2 in. Copyright the Artist. Courtesy of the Artist and Susan Inglett Gallery, NYC.
The works that comprise the Feminist Responsibility Project (FRP), born out of “covering up” models in Penthouse magazines, are concerned with troubling and challenging notions of women’s desire, sexuality, and consent as evidenced through the body, especially as it pertains to pornography. Explore these themes further in the following resources.