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Women's Work: From Feminine Arts to Feminist Art
A celebration of the innovative, brilliant artists reclaiming the idea of ‘women’s work’.
In the history of western art, decorative and applied arts – quilting, embroidery, ceramics – were devalued, separated from the ‘high arts’ of painting and sculpture and deemed more suitable for women.
But artists began to reclaim and redefine these so-called 'lesser' arts, energizing them with vision, imagination and the expression of the female experience.
Women’s Work tells the story of this radical change, highlighting the artists who dared to defy the long-standing hierarchy and who, through, experimentation, invention and assertion of identity, transformed their medium.
The work of these women has rewritten the history of art, turning women’s work from a demeaning assessment into a cause for celebration.
With biographical entries on each artist featured, as well as beautiful images of their artworks, Women's Work raises up the work of these visionary and groundbreaking artists, telling their stories and examining their artistic legacies.
In the history of western art, decorative and applied arts – quilting, embroidery, ceramics – were devalued, separated from the ‘high arts’ of painting and sculpture and deemed more suitable for women.
But artists began to reclaim and redefine these so-called 'lesser' arts, energizing them with vision, imagination and the expression of the female experience.
Women’s Work tells the story of this radical change, highlighting the artists who dared to defy the long-standing hierarchy and who, through, experimentation, invention and assertion of identity, transformed their medium.
The work of these women has rewritten the history of art, turning women’s work from a demeaning assessment into a cause for celebration.
With biographical entries on each artist featured, as well as beautiful images of their artworks, Women's Work raises up the work of these visionary and groundbreaking artists, telling their stories and examining their artistic legacies.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published July 12, 2022
41 people are currently reading
560 people want to read
About the author
Ferren Gipson
4 books6 followersFerren Gipson is an art historian, writer, and artist based in London. She is the author of The Ultimate Art Museum and Women’s Work, hosts the Art Matters podcast, and is a doctoral researcher at SOAS, University of London.
Ferren is a researcher and advocate for art education. Her research areas include modern Chinese art history and topics exploring the crossover between pop culture and art. Her work can be found across mediums, including books, articles, interviews, and 68 episodes of the popular visual arts podcast Art Matters. Her first book is The Ultimate Art Museum (Phaidon), a museum-in-a-book for young readers. Her second book is Women’s Work (Frances Lincoln), which celebrates the stories of modern and contemporary women artists working in textiles and ceramics.
Within her art practice, she explores themes of labour, matrilineal connections, materiality, and colour.
Ferren has worked in the art and design sector since 2009, giving talks with wonderful brands and institutions, such as Tate and Esquire Magazine, and writing for the Financial Times and WePresent.
Ferren is a researcher and advocate for art education. Her research areas include modern Chinese art history and topics exploring the crossover between pop culture and art. Her work can be found across mediums, including books, articles, interviews, and 68 episodes of the popular visual arts podcast Art Matters. Her first book is The Ultimate Art Museum (Phaidon), a museum-in-a-book for young readers. Her second book is Women’s Work (Frances Lincoln), which celebrates the stories of modern and contemporary women artists working in textiles and ceramics.
Within her art practice, she explores themes of labour, matrilineal connections, materiality, and colour.
Ferren has worked in the art and design sector since 2009, giving talks with wonderful brands and institutions, such as Tate and Esquire Magazine, and writing for the Financial Times and WePresent.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 6, 2022
What a treat. Lovers of art books will love this. Before I even opened it, I was hooked: the exposed stitching on the spine is such a nice touch. The writing is clear and down to earth. Whether you are a scholar or have never read about art before, you’ll enjoy it. The layout is beautiful, and the wide selection of artists is fantastic. Read it cover to cover or just look at pictures. Either way, it’s worth adding to your collection.
July 3, 2022
Many thanks to Frances Lincoln for the review copy.
This book was a pleasant and fresh surprise. I have been reading a lot of women's art books recently, many of them with the same format: one introductory essay, followed by short 2-4 page biographies of a particular woman artists. I thought I was bored of this formulation for a book, but then Women's Work came along.
Women's Work has opted for a tighter focus on mediums that have been historically associated with women, particularly ceramics and fiber arts (everything from weaving and embroidery to fashion, soft sculpture, and assemblage.) While this may seem like a tight focus, it paradoxically allows the book to expand across time and space while sharing new artists all the while. The women in the book hail from Mumbai, Buenos Aires, Harlem, Paris, Hamburg, and more, the earliest born in 1887 (Marina Martinez) and the latest in 1994 (Hannah Hill).
Importantly, at least for me: There are a few artists that I expected to be in here (Judy Chicago, Yayoi Kusama, etc.) but most were new to me. I'm not exactly a fiber arts or ceramic specialist, but it has still been a while since I've read a book with so many new players. With these sorts of books (the endless strings of mini biographies), you're never going to get a great meaty critical perspective or lots of context, of course. But it gave me exactly what I wanted out of this kind of book: I left the book excited to find more about these women, and that's always a good feeling.
My only criticism is that my reading of the title implies some sort of progression, "From Feminine Arts to Feminist Art." This doesn't really play out in the book. We don't start off feminine and get feminist, and even the feminist identity of some of these artists is a little vague. Part of me wants to argue that a woman just existing as a woman in the arts does not make her specifically feminist, even if she does use traditionally feminine materials, and only a handful of the biographies in the book discuss the artists' specific stances on feminism, but this is really a small issue with the branding of the book more than anything.
Overall: Good, great, even. Read it.
This book was a pleasant and fresh surprise. I have been reading a lot of women's art books recently, many of them with the same format: one introductory essay, followed by short 2-4 page biographies of a particular woman artists. I thought I was bored of this formulation for a book, but then Women's Work came along.
Women's Work has opted for a tighter focus on mediums that have been historically associated with women, particularly ceramics and fiber arts (everything from weaving and embroidery to fashion, soft sculpture, and assemblage.) While this may seem like a tight focus, it paradoxically allows the book to expand across time and space while sharing new artists all the while. The women in the book hail from Mumbai, Buenos Aires, Harlem, Paris, Hamburg, and more, the earliest born in 1887 (Marina Martinez) and the latest in 1994 (Hannah Hill).
Importantly, at least for me: There are a few artists that I expected to be in here (Judy Chicago, Yayoi Kusama, etc.) but most were new to me. I'm not exactly a fiber arts or ceramic specialist, but it has still been a while since I've read a book with so many new players. With these sorts of books (the endless strings of mini biographies), you're never going to get a great meaty critical perspective or lots of context, of course. But it gave me exactly what I wanted out of this kind of book: I left the book excited to find more about these women, and that's always a good feeling.
My only criticism is that my reading of the title implies some sort of progression, "From Feminine Arts to Feminist Art." This doesn't really play out in the book. We don't start off feminine and get feminist, and even the feminist identity of some of these artists is a little vague. Part of me wants to argue that a woman just existing as a woman in the arts does not make her specifically feminist, even if she does use traditionally feminine materials, and only a handful of the biographies in the book discuss the artists' specific stances on feminism, but this is really a small issue with the branding of the book more than anything.
Overall: Good, great, even. Read it.
June 11, 2022
Thank you, Quarto Publishing Group - White Lion, for the advance review copy.
This book is such an eye opener for me. I wouldn't have known anything about all this important information on women pioneers about their creativity, hard work and the unique distinct art they produced.
The pictures are so rare I feel. It's a privilege to read this book. Feeling empowered.
This book is such an eye opener for me. I wouldn't have known anything about all this important information on women pioneers about their creativity, hard work and the unique distinct art they produced.
The pictures are so rare I feel. It's a privilege to read this book. Feeling empowered.
June 25, 2023
Continuing on my journey of making art history a hobby. Sometimes wish I could go back in time and study it in school, but helpful for books like this in the meantime who give me a bite size version of what that might have been like. And appreciate that there’s more and more books focusing on female artists ONLY and that they are easy to read and not too academic.
This one, obviously, explored a sector of art I’m most particularly interested in which is art vs. craft (also vs. decor vs. design which I’m also more and more interested in). So truly was perfect for me!
Was great to revisit long time favorites like Kusama and Judy Chicago, and read more about artists I recently learned about like Faith Ringgold and the women of Gee’s Bend. And of course loved learning about so many artists I haven’t heard of, from (shockingly my first time reading about her) Elsa Schiaparelli to Marva Lee Pitchford-Jolly to Shiela Hicks to Mrinalini Mukherjee. Oh and Alexandra Kehayoglou. (Just a few standout faves).
I appreciate that this book highlighted SUCH a variety of artists across different countries, backgrounds and disciplines, but all still in the realm of what’s classified as “women’s work.” Seeing them all together in such a collection brings out their similarities but also their differences by having their stories being side by side.
While there was plenty of artists who came from monied and artistic backgrounds (particularly European ones from the early 20th century), there were also plenty of artists from working class backgrounds, and didn’t begin their art career until later of life. What I love so much about biographies is seeing the different courses one’s life can take, and what feels monumental at the time - say moving from a small town to NYC - can be just a blip in the massive tale of a whole life. From that original NYC move can come time spent in Europe or Mexico or the Midwest, and a million other places, jobs and people in between. The joy of life!
Additionally from the biographical perspective, I loved hearing these different women’s introduction to art, which usually started with a family member who was artistically inclined, whether as a working artist or at home, or encouraged their child’s creativity. My grandma was an artist and her influence on me knows no bounds, and I’m thankful to have grown up with no shortage of paints, pens, pencils, clay, fabric and more to express myself creatively. Those personal connections are the most powerful, and I think often how important it is to me to pass along to artistic side to future generations.
And the most heartwarming part of it all is that this artistic side started with women’s work: sewing, decorating, painted and more which gave way to “finer” art. Seeing the varied scale of artists in this book also illustrates a point I think of frequently in regards to artistic careers. Sure there are household names like Kusama (and unfortunately so many are men, with some female examples being O’Keefe and Khalo) but there are plenty of artists who AREN’T household names but have just as much impact. And maybe not impact in the sense of fame or fortune, or even being written about in history books or any books. But there is the impact they have to that community, whether that community is a city, town or culture at large, or just their own family.
That’s the beauty of art, which I find more beautiful than it’s aesthetic value.
This one, obviously, explored a sector of art I’m most particularly interested in which is art vs. craft (also vs. decor vs. design which I’m also more and more interested in). So truly was perfect for me!
Was great to revisit long time favorites like Kusama and Judy Chicago, and read more about artists I recently learned about like Faith Ringgold and the women of Gee’s Bend. And of course loved learning about so many artists I haven’t heard of, from (shockingly my first time reading about her) Elsa Schiaparelli to Marva Lee Pitchford-Jolly to Shiela Hicks to Mrinalini Mukherjee. Oh and Alexandra Kehayoglou. (Just a few standout faves).
I appreciate that this book highlighted SUCH a variety of artists across different countries, backgrounds and disciplines, but all still in the realm of what’s classified as “women’s work.” Seeing them all together in such a collection brings out their similarities but also their differences by having their stories being side by side.
While there was plenty of artists who came from monied and artistic backgrounds (particularly European ones from the early 20th century), there were also plenty of artists from working class backgrounds, and didn’t begin their art career until later of life. What I love so much about biographies is seeing the different courses one’s life can take, and what feels monumental at the time - say moving from a small town to NYC - can be just a blip in the massive tale of a whole life. From that original NYC move can come time spent in Europe or Mexico or the Midwest, and a million other places, jobs and people in between. The joy of life!
Additionally from the biographical perspective, I loved hearing these different women’s introduction to art, which usually started with a family member who was artistically inclined, whether as a working artist or at home, or encouraged their child’s creativity. My grandma was an artist and her influence on me knows no bounds, and I’m thankful to have grown up with no shortage of paints, pens, pencils, clay, fabric and more to express myself creatively. Those personal connections are the most powerful, and I think often how important it is to me to pass along to artistic side to future generations.
And the most heartwarming part of it all is that this artistic side started with women’s work: sewing, decorating, painted and more which gave way to “finer” art. Seeing the varied scale of artists in this book also illustrates a point I think of frequently in regards to artistic careers. Sure there are household names like Kusama (and unfortunately so many are men, with some female examples being O’Keefe and Khalo) but there are plenty of artists who AREN’T household names but have just as much impact. And maybe not impact in the sense of fame or fortune, or even being written about in history books or any books. But there is the impact they have to that community, whether that community is a city, town or culture at large, or just their own family.
That’s the beauty of art, which I find more beautiful than it’s aesthetic value.
April 16, 2023
A brilliant book showcasing a diverse collection of female artists, makers and artisans.
There are some beautiful full colour, glorious photographs of the women's work.
The spine of the book is exquisitely crafted with what appears to be hand woven binding.
Just stunning, a book to savour.
There are some beautiful full colour, glorious photographs of the women's work.
The spine of the book is exquisitely crafted with what appears to be hand woven binding.
Just stunning, a book to savour.
July 12, 2025
Gipson curates a collection of female artists that toiled at elevating seeming “decorative” arts to “fine” arts. In doing so she highlights the gender imbalances and biases of the art world which really is a reflection of the society, modern or otherwise.
I expected to just flip through this and check out the artwork; but this drew me in. And the short biographies led to further google searches of these women and their works. The book covers from early pioneers up to very contemporary works. But really each of these artists deserves their own time in the spotlight.
I expected to just flip through this and check out the artwork; but this drew me in. And the short biographies led to further google searches of these women and their works. The book covers from early pioneers up to very contemporary works. But really each of these artists deserves their own time in the spotlight.
March 28, 2025
Great collection, however, I wish there were more artworks included.
July 4, 2022
Women's Work: From Feminine Arts to Feminist Art, by Ferren Gipson, charts the change in acceptance of "feminine" materials over time, from (being considered "merely") crafts to artworks.
What I found most appealing in this work is the centering of the artists themselves, since it wasn't just the materials that were overlooked and underappreciated but the artists themselves. If one reads carefully (and not with an eye toward wanting to display one's own faux critical ability) one will see the connections and the arguments made. But it takes wanting to make that history out of the stories of these women, in other words, it takes active reading, not lazy looking for faults that aren't there.
The other wonderful aspect of centering the artists and their work is that any reader who is mainly interested in finding new artists can easily do so without wading through a history book where the names are almost secondary.
So this book can serve as a critique and history of women in art (for an active reader) while also serving as an excellent introduction to artists many people may have missed. For that reason, I would recommend this to any reader with an interest in both art history and the aesthetics of art. I might not recommend it to men who want to misuse quotes from women to misread the book, but they will take their (perceived) place at the podium anyway, even if they just blabber nonsense.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
What I found most appealing in this work is the centering of the artists themselves, since it wasn't just the materials that were overlooked and underappreciated but the artists themselves. If one reads carefully (and not with an eye toward wanting to display one's own faux critical ability) one will see the connections and the arguments made. But it takes wanting to make that history out of the stories of these women, in other words, it takes active reading, not lazy looking for faults that aren't there.
The other wonderful aspect of centering the artists and their work is that any reader who is mainly interested in finding new artists can easily do so without wading through a history book where the names are almost secondary.
So this book can serve as a critique and history of women in art (for an active reader) while also serving as an excellent introduction to artists many people may have missed. For that reason, I would recommend this to any reader with an interest in both art history and the aesthetics of art. I might not recommend it to men who want to misuse quotes from women to misread the book, but they will take their (perceived) place at the podium anyway, even if they just blabber nonsense.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
January 19, 2023
Women’s Work From feminine arts to feminist art. Is a beautifully curated book of great art and its artists, reclaiming the idea of “women’s work”.
You do not have to know about art to enjoy how important this book, the artists, and their art truly are. I did not know of some of the artists mentioned in the book like The Women of Gee’s Bend, Lucie Rie, or Billie Zangewa, among others. Women’s Work has introduced me to many beautiful artists and their amazing collections of artwork. This book covers many areas of art; from textile art to ceramics. Women’s Work covers many different mediums and the artists are diverse. Gipson provides you with a short biography of each artist. With a description of the work and shows examples of their impressive artwork.
Ferren Gipson doesn’t stop at that, the teaching continues when at the end there is a list of more artists to explore. I can appreciate how each artist was described with such respect for their craft. Making this book invaluable.
The inspiration one can find in this book can inspire anyone else’s art. A learning experience and a reflective one. Seeing how so many of us have familial ties to techniques these talented individuals have used to create art.
Women’s Work will motivate you to learn more about these skillful artists.
You do not have to know about art to enjoy how important this book, the artists, and their art truly are. I did not know of some of the artists mentioned in the book like The Women of Gee’s Bend, Lucie Rie, or Billie Zangewa, among others. Women’s Work has introduced me to many beautiful artists and their amazing collections of artwork. This book covers many areas of art; from textile art to ceramics. Women’s Work covers many different mediums and the artists are diverse. Gipson provides you with a short biography of each artist. With a description of the work and shows examples of their impressive artwork.
Ferren Gipson doesn’t stop at that, the teaching continues when at the end there is a list of more artists to explore. I can appreciate how each artist was described with such respect for their craft. Making this book invaluable.
The inspiration one can find in this book can inspire anyone else’s art. A learning experience and a reflective one. Seeing how so many of us have familial ties to techniques these talented individuals have used to create art.
Women’s Work will motivate you to learn more about these skillful artists.
July 27, 2022
Wow this was such an amazingly fascinating book and a pleasure to experience. This book looked into different medium of feminine art work . The majority of the artists choosing textiles which was a medium I haven't seen many art books look at . I was totally engrossed in this book from the very start.
I found some of the pieces extremely obscure but this made the experience all the more interesting understanding the thought processes behind them.
The authors writing style was amazing getting all the facts across without bogging the reader down. It was so enjoyable and the flow was just perfect. The photographs included were amazing really capturing the artwork and making it really stand out.
It truly felt like I was there experiencing the artwork rather than reading a book. The book held great emotions and flowed seamlessly from artist to artist. I hope this author writes more on this subject as I just loved every second. I really can't recommend this book enough if you love art or just eat to learn more about it. Then this book will NOT disappoint.
Only the highest of praise goes out to the author and publishers for creating this amazing experience that I was so engrossed in. I hated it when the book ended I just could of read on for hours more.
I found some of the pieces extremely obscure but this made the experience all the more interesting understanding the thought processes behind them.
The authors writing style was amazing getting all the facts across without bogging the reader down. It was so enjoyable and the flow was just perfect. The photographs included were amazing really capturing the artwork and making it really stand out.
It truly felt like I was there experiencing the artwork rather than reading a book. The book held great emotions and flowed seamlessly from artist to artist. I hope this author writes more on this subject as I just loved every second. I really can't recommend this book enough if you love art or just eat to learn more about it. Then this book will NOT disappoint.
Only the highest of praise goes out to the author and publishers for creating this amazing experience that I was so engrossed in. I hated it when the book ended I just could of read on for hours more.
July 11, 2022
An informative, well-presented and much needed guide to women artists working in what has traditionally been seen as ‘crafts’ – ceramics, embroidery, quilting, applique, soft sculpture and so on. Women’s Work is quite wide-ranging and while I’m familiar with quite a few of the artists featured, many were new to me. I loved learning about Mrinalini Mukherjee, Judith Scott and Alexandra Kehayoglou for example and thought additional artists to look up at the end of the book a great idea. In recent years, some of the bigger museums and galleries have addressed the imbalance of both who and what they show, Anni Albers and Dorothea Tanning (both featuring here) had excellent retrospectives at Tate Modern but there is still a way to go towards acceptance and acclaim – of the mediums as well as artists. So books like Women’s Work are needed and welcome. Apart from ‘feminist art’ in the subtitle – surely just art? – and a wish for a longer, more in-depth introductory essay, I thought Women’s Work great.
My thanks to Quarto, White Lion, Frances Lincoln and Netgalley for the opportunity to read Women’s Work.
My thanks to Quarto, White Lion, Frances Lincoln and Netgalley for the opportunity to read Women’s Work.
July 23, 2022
A very interesting book on the lives and skills of some very creative women and shakers in the world of art. From Quilters, to weavers, to ceramic artists, to soft sculptures, to wearable art and more - all the skills that have traditionally been linked to "women's work" or "craft "- yet these women left and non erasable mark on the world of creativeness. You will find such stories about the women of Gee Bend, Anni Albers, Elisa Schiaparelli, Sarah Zapata, Hannah Hill, Yi Xiuhen and many more.
A really enlightening book of women at Work.
. Thanks you NetGalley and the publishers for the DRC
A really enlightening book of women at Work.
. Thanks you NetGalley and the publishers for the DRC
November 17, 2022
I saw this book on display in the Waterstones at the Cheltenham Literature Festival and was immediately drawn to the beautiful binding of the book and also the title. As someone who craft knits and crochets I am always awed by women who create the most beautiful art from textiles and a book full of amazing artists was too good to pass up. I have really enjoyed just having the book out on my table and reading about an artist and viewing some of their most influential pieces. I have learnt so much from this and just sad that we don’t get to hear more about these amazing women.
August 13, 2022
This book has a unique spine design, standing out as a piece of art in and of itself. The exposed spine stitching is nontraditional and disruptive in a way that fits the work of the artists featured inside, and this also gives the book a lay-flat binding, making it much easier to hold and read. It can lay out flat on a desk or a table, without the reader having to hold it the whole time.
This book initially appealed to me because of the title and cover. Even though I have looked through a number of different books about women artists, most of them feature a lot of the same artists again and again, and they typically focus on more traditional forms of art, instead of emphasizing textile art. This book approaches art forms that are traditionally associated with women, and thereby often devalued, such as quilting, embroidery, weaving, and pottery. This unique emphasis tie together all of the diverse and varied profiles, and the profiles come in chronological order by the artist's birth, giving the book a sense of historical flow.
Although this could just be an attractive coffee table book, I read it from cover to cover, enjoying the detailed profiles and helpful commentary on each artist's work. Although I was already familiar with a number of these women, I learned a lot more about them, and other artists in this book were completely new to me. The book also concludes with a lengthy list of other artists to explore. Overall, it is very well-crafted as a reference resource, and the profiles aren't just fluff. This is serious art history, and the author also avoids making any of the quirky, edgy commentary I'm used to seeing in other recent art books. I especially appreciated this related to the feminist focus, since she avoided contemporary, politicized cheap shots and let historic artists speak for themselves through their words and their work.
People who plan to share this book with children should be aware that the author frankly discusses sexual themes in the artists' work, frequently sharing photographic reproductions that involve nudity, sexual themes, and explicit symbolism. I don't relate to and will never understand why so many artists love representing sex so much, but I was fine with it as an adult reader. However, this would have made me feel profoundly uncomfortable when I was younger, and adults who want to share this book with younger readers should consider their sensitivity levels and make sure they know what they're getting into.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This book initially appealed to me because of the title and cover. Even though I have looked through a number of different books about women artists, most of them feature a lot of the same artists again and again, and they typically focus on more traditional forms of art, instead of emphasizing textile art. This book approaches art forms that are traditionally associated with women, and thereby often devalued, such as quilting, embroidery, weaving, and pottery. This unique emphasis tie together all of the diverse and varied profiles, and the profiles come in chronological order by the artist's birth, giving the book a sense of historical flow.
Although this could just be an attractive coffee table book, I read it from cover to cover, enjoying the detailed profiles and helpful commentary on each artist's work. Although I was already familiar with a number of these women, I learned a lot more about them, and other artists in this book were completely new to me. The book also concludes with a lengthy list of other artists to explore. Overall, it is very well-crafted as a reference resource, and the profiles aren't just fluff. This is serious art history, and the author also avoids making any of the quirky, edgy commentary I'm used to seeing in other recent art books. I especially appreciated this related to the feminist focus, since she avoided contemporary, politicized cheap shots and let historic artists speak for themselves through their words and their work.
People who plan to share this book with children should be aware that the author frankly discusses sexual themes in the artists' work, frequently sharing photographic reproductions that involve nudity, sexual themes, and explicit symbolism. I don't relate to and will never understand why so many artists love representing sex so much, but I was fine with it as an adult reader. However, this would have made me feel profoundly uncomfortable when I was younger, and adults who want to share this book with younger readers should consider their sensitivity levels and make sure they know what they're getting into.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
March 1, 2023
I accessed a digital review copy of this book from the publisher.
This book covers a diverse group of 24 women from around the world. The time period coverer ranges from the early 1900s to modern artists. The women are all artists in various mediums from weaving, pottery, soft sculptures, embroidery, quilting, and more. All of the artistic mediums are typically associated with women's work and/or handicrafts. The women featured have elevated their work from everyday art to fine art. While some of the artists are well-known, others are less so. Each biography gives a short introduction to their early life, then tells how they began their life in art and their career. There are usually three or four pictures for each person.
I loved this book because it allowed me to learn about women who were able to take my preferred art forms and make them into something more. I felt like this was a good stepping-off point to learn about the various artists.
This book covers a diverse group of 24 women from around the world. The time period coverer ranges from the early 1900s to modern artists. The women are all artists in various mediums from weaving, pottery, soft sculptures, embroidery, quilting, and more. All of the artistic mediums are typically associated with women's work and/or handicrafts. The women featured have elevated their work from everyday art to fine art. While some of the artists are well-known, others are less so. Each biography gives a short introduction to their early life, then tells how they began their life in art and their career. There are usually three or four pictures for each person.
I loved this book because it allowed me to learn about women who were able to take my preferred art forms and make them into something more. I felt like this was a good stepping-off point to learn about the various artists.
January 9, 2023
4.75 stars, i wanted to know more but the level of detail I wanted would have made the book huge
this book is fantastic because it covers traditionally feminine art forms (textile arts, ceramics etc) through female artists of international backgrounds who most people won't have heard of, and it really well written and had great pictures of the art mentioned.
it was diverse without feeling forced at all, all of the artists were equally amazing and interesting.
i'd only heard of three or four of the famous artists, I learnt a lot and found some cool art I would never have seen otherwise. a lot of art books kinda say the same thing and have photos of the same pieces over and over again but this one was actually new and different.
soft sculpture is actually fantastic
this book is fantastic because it covers traditionally feminine art forms (textile arts, ceramics etc) through female artists of international backgrounds who most people won't have heard of, and it really well written and had great pictures of the art mentioned.
it was diverse without feeling forced at all, all of the artists were equally amazing and interesting.
i'd only heard of three or four of the famous artists, I learnt a lot and found some cool art I would never have seen otherwise. a lot of art books kinda say the same thing and have photos of the same pieces over and over again but this one was actually new and different.
soft sculpture is actually fantastic
April 22, 2025
I'm a sucker for a nice looking hardcover. This one is particularly pretty, with the pages sandwiched between two thick slabs and an exposed binding woven together.
But, the inside of the book is just as great. It's a highly readable primer of artists, some of whom were gatekept out of mainstream success during their lifetimes. The brief biographies contain just enough prose and visuals to be lures for late-night wikipedia et al. scrolling down rabbitholes for quite awhile.
(I was debating 4 or 5 stars because it seemed like the inclusion of the very few non-white international artists were token afterthoughts and/or not comparable due to their immense commercial success. But, I did enjoy what was in there enough to round up.)
But, the inside of the book is just as great. It's a highly readable primer of artists, some of whom were gatekept out of mainstream success during their lifetimes. The brief biographies contain just enough prose and visuals to be lures for late-night wikipedia et al. scrolling down rabbitholes for quite awhile.
(I was debating 4 or 5 stars because it seemed like the inclusion of the very few non-white international artists were token afterthoughts and/or not comparable due to their immense commercial success. But, I did enjoy what was in there enough to round up.)
March 12, 2023
“Women’s Work” highlights women artists around the world who specialize in what has in the past been viewed as 'women’s work'. From quilting, weaving and ceramics to embroidery, the articles emphasize the importance of these artworks in expressing and empowering female identities. The beautiful full-page photographs provide a glimpse of each artist’s oeuvre. I had expected the essays to offer more of a feminist discussion, but the book achieves it’s goal of introducing the reader to a variety of under-recognized art forms and showcasing women’s artists, their lives and their work.
*I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.
*I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.
June 16, 2022
As someone studying textiles I was delighted to be offered Ferren Gipson's 'Women's Work' as an ARC via NetGalley. Whilst there are well written profiles of famous artists such as Annie Albers, Louise Bourgeois and Eva Hesse, what made this book particularly interesting for me was the number of amazing practitioners that I had yet to come across. The works selected as examples are inspirational and there is the added bonus of a list of 'more artists to explore' which will no doubt keep me inspired for years to come.
December 29, 2022
This art history book introduces readers to over 30 women artist who specialize in what the world considers to be women's crafts. Their mediums are things like quilting, weaving, ceramics, embroidery, soft sculpture, etc. The book focuses on women from the 20th century through today. I have heard of several of these artist and recognize the work of of several more, but the majority are women who I had never heard of, which makes me sad. I also liked that at the back of the book there were additional women listed who can be researched by the reader.
July 11, 2022
Unsure how I was able to read this book a day before it’s official release, but I’m glad I did! Learned about so many great textile artists and designers. I was admittedly expecting some illustrators and painters to fit the category, but I’m glad that this book was dedicated mostly to the work of embroidery, sculpture and fashion design (e.g I had no idea that Coco Chanel insulted Elsa Schiaparelli as “that Italian artist”). Short for each artist but just as informative as the next.
December 27, 2024
I picked this up from the library and really enjoyed reading through the introduction of dozens of women artists. I liked that there was a strong focus on textiles in general as this is not a field of art often mentioned in art books. This book doesn't pretend to cover all aspects of these women's artistic lives but provides a really interesting snapshot.
December 9, 2022
An interesting choice of artists and good illustrations, but very weird text! It included some over simplification and odd comments in brackets like (yikes!)
January 4, 2023
An excellent survey highlighting the development and excellence of women's work in different fields such as ceramics and textile. Clear and well presented.
August 29, 2024
I came across this quite by accident but am so glad I did! I hadn't heard of many of them, so this was quite a discovery. Worth a read for anyone making art with threads, fabrics,
December 29, 2024
Another I’ll refer back to time and again. This book has introduced me to so many textile artists I had not heard of. A fantastic resource.
December 11, 2025
The writing wasn’t great but I enjoyed the succinct and easy to read bios on a broad swath of artists, very informative
December 12, 2025
yooo shoutout women !
December 17, 2022
Ferren Gipson’s beautiful book, “Women’s Work,” needs to be on the shelf of anyone interested in exploring the work that female artists are doing to re-examine the traditional role of women’s craft and its relationship to contemporary art. Gipson concentrates on artists working in three media: textiles, fibre art and ceramics. Each of 14 artists are presented in short bios of 6 pages each, including gorgeous photographs of their work. Some of the names (Judy Chicago, Yayoi Kusama) are familiar, but most will be new to the non-academic reader.
Gipson discusses in her introduction that female artists have often disrupted male power structures - by working in media not taken seriously as art, and by exploiting the natural link between women’s art and political and social causes. And so she also disrupts by giving us impeccably researched material in a style that tells us stories about the artists and art and avoiding a dry text of dates, places and influences. The artists chosen are a diverse group; from the Americas, UK, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, the paths to their careers as diverse as the work they do.
As a textile artist myself, and a person who has become fascinated with the lineage of artwork by women, I applaud this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto for an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
Gipson discusses in her introduction that female artists have often disrupted male power structures - by working in media not taken seriously as art, and by exploiting the natural link between women’s art and political and social causes. And so she also disrupts by giving us impeccably researched material in a style that tells us stories about the artists and art and avoiding a dry text of dates, places and influences. The artists chosen are a diverse group; from the Americas, UK, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, the paths to their careers as diverse as the work they do.
As a textile artist myself, and a person who has become fascinated with the lineage of artwork by women, I applaud this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto for an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
June 15, 2023
This presents a really interesting look at art mediums that have typically been seen as inferior to other forms of fine art, primarily because of their association with domesticity and femininity. These mediums include ceramics, quilting, textiles, and wearable art. The book displays how, unlike the patriarchal view that these mediums are not of the same caliber as mediums such as oil painting etc., the female artists that Gibson explores are masters of their craft, and have every right to be considered alongside canonical male artists. Gibson explores how these artists use such mediums to investigate and celebrate their undeniable femininity, and have been able to break boundaries and overcome obstacles during their lifetimes. My main critique would be that there aren't enough pictures - while it is fascinating to read about their lives, I would have liked to see more examples of their work in order to really understand. And the images that are presented often don't match up with the chronology of the text, making it a little difficult to navigate. But overall this is a really interesting and fresh commentary on feminine art.
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