Women in Abstraction

Abstraction has been examined through a more critical historical lens recently as documents reveal the disparities left out of many conversations.

The New Art Center sought abstract works that engaged in gender, race, class and history as it relates to abstraction. A selection of this exhibition will be on view in-person with the majority displayed virtually through a platform called ArtSteps. We invited artists to submit work that helps to push and provoke dialogues about abstraction throughout history.

A Statement from the Curator
“Women in Abstraction responds to recent exhibitions highlighting abstract art by focusing on women who are typically underrepresented in the artistic canon. Why does that matter? It matters when the experiences of some aren’t included in the narrative of abstraction, so when we talk about creating, processes, and concepts, we’ve often missed many opportunities to expand our views. Historians and curators for the last two decades have worked tirelessly to expand the field and our understanding of abstraction, in relation to material, mark-making, color, and narrative. Women in Abstraction is a microcosm of this global conversation. This exhibition looks at our local community to explore the nuances of abstraction. Process, practice, and concept are at the center of these works. While viewing this exhibition, consider those three things to shift what you know about abstraction.”
– Destiny Palmer, curator