Rather dismal photos but put up t illustrate that I have put Zola’s “Ladies Paradise” aside at page 266 because of the arrival of “Women and Craft” by Gillian Elinor et al. This book was put together in the 1980s and contains interviews with women about their memories of where and how they learnt ordinary craft skills and what they are doing with them now. The bookis driven by a feminist agenda but is not overtly aggressive. Rather it is a celebration of the continuation of women’s ability to make the most of what they have. Although it dips slightly into feminist theory the book is a light read for those with an interest in the practice of useful art and the place it has in providing an outlet for the drudgeries of life.
Friday, March 2, 2007 at 19:30
I like the look of women and craft — and am not entirely surprised to hear some feminist theory creeps in as this is quite a trendy area for those fem theorists, I think. Quite rightly, really — as you are saying, craft was (and is?) one of the few ways for women to express themselves artistically when living very constrained lives.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007 at 21:24
Bit like shopping really!