Art is a Mirror

Posted on by The Wandering Art Historian

My gratitude to everyone who attended the final installment of my lecture series celebrating women artists, “From Muse to Master,” this week in Mount Dora, FL.  Beginning in the Middle Ages and going all the way to the 21st century, we highlighted the work and impact of a variety of women artists, but barely scratched the surface.  My hope is that this particular series inspires every attendee to continue researching and to keep celebrating all the wonderful women who contributed (and continue to contribute) to what we know as art history.

Frankly, this series was quite an experiment and yielded some fascinating “feedback” from guests. If you think that we, as a society, are more progressive towards women in 2018 than ever before, I would ask that you take a moment to consider this one question… is equal representation a political issue?

The very best ART, the most “successful” ART is challenging and disturbing and uncomfortable.  That is because ART is a mirror, reflecting back whatever the viewer brings to it.

Leave a comment

The Wandering Art Historian's avatar
I am writer and artist with a degree in art history who loves to talk to people about art. I have spent the last seven years building up The Wandering Art Historian “brand” as a way to connect with people who want to learn more about art. I give lectures and presentations and teach classes and host book club discussions with a creative or artistic connection. I also write about local artists, events, museums, and exhibitions to promote the arts in Central Florida. In 2021, I had a creative crisis. I struggled with authenticity in the art making process. I decided to make myself vulnerable and find out what a real, genuine Adrienne H. Lee artwork would look like. The process was challenging and emotional and revelatory. I learned that if necessity is the mother of invention, then authenticity is the mother of reinvention. I reinvented myself and learned an entirely new medium. The resulting artwork surprised me, and it will surprise you, too. Some people wish for a fairytale ending. For me, the fairy tale is only the beginning.