The Guerrilla Girls

GUERRILLA GIRLS POSTERS (1985-Present) Are a valuable addition to the Feminist Artists Activists of 1980s and 90s. The two in particular presented here are aspects of their earlier functioning which was in order to unravel the facade of artist’s worth present in society. The 80s were a time for women artists which was particularly subjugated. Women and artists of color were not recognized in the art world, which was being dominated by the collectors and curators at major galleries. The influence of economical fascination in only a few male pieces created the incomplete art world. The power of women was established in activisms, minimally, and it was thankfully because of groups such as the Guerrilla Girls, rooted right in the heart of the battle (NYC), which lead to that minimal change.

In “The Advantages of Being a Woman Artist”, we encounter a list of the ‘advantages’ which are clearly not advantages. This really highlights the Guerrilla Girls sarcastic style appropriately. They typical take statistics, and folding those into their own humorous dialogue, represent truths in an unavoidable light. There simple, black and white, clean structure is typically consistent with some exceptions that still embody their trademark. And they close their pieces with ‘Guerrilla Girls Conscience of the Art World’.

In the second piece

called “When Racism and Sexism are No Longer Fashionable What Will Your Art Collection Be Worth?” that question, right off the bat, is alluring and makes you want to read on. Then they list the names of a ton of woman artists deserving recognition today, saying ‘The art market won’t bestow mega-buck prizes on the work of a few white male artists forever. For the 17.7 million you just spent on a single Jasper Johns painting, you could have bought at least one work from all of these women and artists of color.’ The jaw-dropping number of 17.7 million on ONE painting and the list of so many artists names in connection with that price is just eye-opening. It is true and to prove it they put their sources underneath.

Their pieces do more than unravel the dire state of society though. They create a dialogue which women artists and artist of color can take seriously as foundations for their significance. And further, a call to action in society tow those individuals helping the manipulators of wealth and recognition prosper. The Guerrilla Girls clearly highlight the injustices in society through the style and technique and even their anonymity. Wearing gorilla masks and being anonymous artist adds a rich layer of mystique to their message and tries to take the double standards usually present in critiquing an artist’s work and destroy them.