Race, Sex & Gender in Contemporary Art

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One of the most significant developments in the art world from the 1970s to the 1990s has been the rise of art from minority cultures. This examination addresses the challenges these groups present to contemporary artists and critics. Works by African-Americans, feminists, homosexuals, and Latino-Hispanics, once seen as marginal, have transformed contemporary art. As this so-called minority art gains prominence, museums have formed stronger alliances with the avant-garde, making "minority" art a central focus. In this provocative volume, art historian Edward Lucie-Smith explores how these diverse groups achieved recognition and revolutionized the art displayed in museums and galleries. Featured artists include Cindy Sherman, Robert Mapplethorpe, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Nancy Spero, Hannah Wilke, Larry Fuente, Cheri Samba, and Martin Puryear, whose works are discussed alongside issues of racial identity, sexual orientation, and gender politics. The book includes statements from artists, theoreticians, and critics, providing additional insights into these crucial topics. Organized into illustrated chapters focused on specific minority groups, this work serves as a timely introduction to the issues shaping contemporary art.