FIVE DAYS OF FEMININE #5 :Feminist artist Miriam Schapiro, born in Toronto, Canada on 15 November 1923, grew up and studied in New York and Iowa. She married artist Paul Brach in 1946. Schapiro worked a series of odd jobs until she became a artist full-time in 1955. She originally painted in the Abstract Expressionist style. As her commitment to feminism grew during the 1960's, she developed her own personal style which she called femmage. Combining such commonplace elements as lace, fabric scraps, buttons, rickrack, sequins, and tea towels she transformed them into sophisticated compositions that often imply multiple layers of both space and meaning. Her recent works juxtapose intricately patterned abstract backgrounds with stylized human figures in motion-whether falling or dancing- made of brightly colored paper. (http://mystudios.com/women/women.html)
AUTOBIOGRAPHY
In her natal chart I'm looking for creativity, Uranus, Aquarius, Mars and Fixed signs (determination) to be emphasised: art, rebellion, social reform and a fighter.
Sun is conjunct Mercury and Jupiter in passionate, determined Scorpio (Fixed sign) and in harmonious trine to Uranus in Pisces and Pluto in Cancer. These form a Grand Trine in Water signs - with the Scorpio factor prominent because those are personal planets, yet very much in in tune with the generational pull from rebellious Uranus and powerful Pluto.
If born before 8:00 PM Miriam's natal Moon would have been in Aquarius - that'd be a very good bet. Born later than 8:00 PM Moon would have moved into early Pisces. Although that would blend well with her Water Grand Trine, yet I feel Aquarius is clearly indicated here.
Venus, planet of the arts is in Fiery and outgoing Sagittarius, in a rather wide trine to Neptune planet of creativity in Leo. This outgoing Venus/Neptune factor is not quite as prominent as I'd expect - unless, of course, one or other of the planets was close to a chart angle (ascendant, midheaven, etc.) We cannot know that without an accurate time of birth.
Saturn (structure) and Mars (the fighter) conjoined in diplomatic Libra, semi-sextile (helpful)to the Scorpio cluster adds a hint that although Miriam is a passionate and determined fighter for her cause, she has found tactful and artistic ways in which to bring her concerns to the attention of the public.
TWO AMONG MANY
MADNESS OF LOVE
COSTUME FOR MOTHER EARTH
RUSSIAN MATRIX
PAS DE DEUX
MIRIAM'S LIFE WITH DOLLS
FOR PAUL BRACH
LOST & FOUND
In keeping with the topic of Passion, Freedom & Women, Miriam Schapiro is a groundbreaking artist who, in her 60-year career, stepped out of the mold to fight for women’s artistic freedom and the democratization of art. She was a key visionary in starting a new movement in art, Pattern and Decoration.
Schapiro challenged the male art system from within and without. Since the 1960s, she risked her artistic reputation to bring women to the fore and erase the line between high art and craft, flaunting uses of the previously taboo materials like organdy and lace.
Schapiro explained: “I bring to my paintings all the elements of craft because I believe that craft belongs to women. That’s how it’s been designated by the patriarchal art system. Our culture also insists that ornamentation and decoration are innately female. But, unfortunately, it then follows that what is female is considered inferior. It doesn’t have to be that way. Eastern and Islamic cultures don’t feminize their decorative arts. What the male patriarchal art world does here is sexist as well as racist. The binary concept of fine art being above craft is false.”
In addition to her painting, Schapiro fought for women’s artistic freedom, traveling across the country to deliver speeches that were filled with the work of ignored women artists. In 1971, she and Judy Chicago formed the Feminist Art Program, which, for the first time, addressed how the self-esteem of women had been damaged by male-dominated culture. With students, they created a collaborative environment, Womanhouse, that attracted national attention.
http://www.ontheissuesmagazine.com/2010winter/2010winter_art.php
AUTOBIOGRAPHY
In her natal chart I'm looking for creativity, Uranus, Aquarius, Mars and Fixed signs (determination) to be emphasised: art, rebellion, social reform and a fighter.
Sun is conjunct Mercury and Jupiter in passionate, determined Scorpio (Fixed sign) and in harmonious trine to Uranus in Pisces and Pluto in Cancer. These form a Grand Trine in Water signs - with the Scorpio factor prominent because those are personal planets, yet very much in in tune with the generational pull from rebellious Uranus and powerful Pluto.
If born before 8:00 PM Miriam's natal Moon would have been in Aquarius - that'd be a very good bet. Born later than 8:00 PM Moon would have moved into early Pisces. Although that would blend well with her Water Grand Trine, yet I feel Aquarius is clearly indicated here.
Venus, planet of the arts is in Fiery and outgoing Sagittarius, in a rather wide trine to Neptune planet of creativity in Leo. This outgoing Venus/Neptune factor is not quite as prominent as I'd expect - unless, of course, one or other of the planets was close to a chart angle (ascendant, midheaven, etc.) We cannot know that without an accurate time of birth.
Saturn (structure) and Mars (the fighter) conjoined in diplomatic Libra, semi-sextile (helpful)to the Scorpio cluster adds a hint that although Miriam is a passionate and determined fighter for her cause, she has found tactful and artistic ways in which to bring her concerns to the attention of the public.
TWO AMONG MANY
MADNESS OF LOVE
COSTUME FOR MOTHER EARTH
RUSSIAN MATRIX
PAS DE DEUX
MIRIAM'S LIFE WITH DOLLS
FOR PAUL BRACH
LOST & FOUND
