The Woman’s Building (Chicago) – 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition
Several decades ago, I became aware of the work and life of Enid Yandell, a Kentucky-born, Paris educated sculptor whose statues I used to see at various ceremonial points in Louisville. This early twentieth-century woman artist, although acclaimed in her time, seemed to be forgotten.
Yandell was one of a group of talented women artists who were asked to contribute work to the Women’s Building at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The building, designed by women architects and run by 117 “Lady Managers”—all married and listed by their husbands’ names—was the fruit of a collaboration between wealthy American and English women, the artists, and the government. Such a collaboration had never existed before, and has never existed again.
Enid Yandell with her sculpture of Pallas Athena, 1896
All eighty of the works by women artists, commissioned for the building, were stored when the building was demolished after the Exhibition and are now officially lost.
There is much to be written about the enthusiasm and support, both public and private, that resulted in the Women’s Building—and much to be written about the loss of these masterpieces.
But better late than never. Enid Yandell: A Life of Art and Activism opens next July, first at the Filson Historical Society in Louisville, then at the Speed Art Museum, then at the Louisville Free Public Library, and finally at Bellarmine University, with panels and presentations that may answer these questions: “Why then?” and “Why never again?”
One crucial difference: well-off women of the late nineteenth century (and the money was often their husbands) gave funds to progressive, even radical causes, including settlement houses and political candidates who supported votes for women.
Not so now, with a few notable exceptions.
Have the “ladies” lost their fire?
1893 World’s Columbian Exposition
An exceptional story. And an image to bring it to life. Thanks!
Hi Sallie, Thank you for sending me your link to “Sometimes It Takes a While”.I started this response the day you sent me the link. It’s ridiculous how long it has taken me to send this, rewriting it dozens of times, mostly deleting, condensing after reading each of your weekly posts. Recently subscribed, wifi, to your site I was not aware you had written of Enid.
Linda Nochlin question “Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?”
Or….Who has been hiding the Great Women Artist and WHY?
Words have power….A women was raped. A man committed a sexual crime against a women. Subtle message of responsibility what are the consequences?
Rozsika Parker “to discover the history of women and art is in part to account for the way art history is written. To expose its underlying values, its assumptions, its silences and its prejudices is also to understand that the way women artists are recorded is crucial to the definition of art and artist in our society”
We have been systematically omitted, buried and marginalized by design. Time to rip those Band-aids off that keep us in the cycle.
We have been brainwashed and culturally forced to abide by a misogynistic, debilitating and caustic mind set, that is so deeply ingrained it is now threatening our very existence.
This mind set has omitted more than half the brain power available for problem solving our current challenges intellectually, environmentally, culturally and spiritually.
Unfortunately the long term lethal effects of discrimination and misogyny runs deep in our neurons, affecting our very thought process.
The unaddressed hurdle sabotaging our efforts.
Are our neurological pathways in a rut passed down for centuries as means of survival? Yes.
Our Identity, where and how we fit in our culture is confirmed in many subtle and not so subtle cues.
A change is necessary in those cues, visual and verbally to begin the elimination of the ingrained marginalization women and minorities that have been conditioned and taught to accept what is unacceptable.
When we see what we are and can be, in an empowered way, a subconscious connection is made in our brains, repairing our perspective of ourselves. What we see, what we hear and say are powerful messages to our psyche that influence our culture and world.
“Brainwashing reduces its subject’s ability to think critically or independently, to allow the introduction of new, unwanted thoughts and ideas into the subject’s mind, as well as to change his or her attitudes, values, and beliefs.” I still genuflect every time I visit a church. It’s just how it is, it is involuntarily /ingrained reality.
How to remove this invisible hurdle? Visual images have the unique ability to communicate across all barriers much like music. It’s message can challenge, support, squelch and inspire. Identity! = Inspires = courage = action = change.
The proof of power in cultural cues is undeniable….think of the icon for Adidas, or the caustic golden aches of Mc Donalds, trillions of dollars have been invested in this form of power because it is a truth and works.
What is the best use of my abilities and privilege to contribute towards equality?
Provide a public reminder, an unending visual of identity, for women in a culture void of inspiration towards women’s achievements and empowerment.
Providing a visual reminder of what has been hidden will challenge the ingrained marginalization in our own brain, as it challenges the story fed to us that women are weak, limited and unattractive to strive towards equality. Unattractive to what?
I am writing to you for help in realizing a bronze sculpture of our Enid for Louisville.Starting in my hometown with what I do best seems a logical place to foster hope via new visual, cultural cue.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas.
A believer in hope,
Dawn Yates
P.S. A bit of info on me.First sculptor to receive KFW grant in 1996, we met at our beloved hopscotch house 1997. Receiving your grant directly inspired and contributed to my co founding in 1998 Enid: generations of women sculptors.First and only female apprentice with Sculptor Barney Bright 1987. Co founded Bright Foundry 1988, specializing in fine art bronze sculpture and castings. Created life size bronze sculpture of Mayor Farnsley 1998 for the Fund for the arts in Louisville.Deeply involved in empowering young women on how to enjoy and utilize their power for a greater unending cause. Most recently, my application for KFW Artist Enrichment Grant was not recommended due to my need of funding…chicken and egg hurdle.
Thank you for your unending support and inspiration.