Fairey And Rockwell Analysis

Improved Essays
Chapter One: An Introduction to the Purpose of the Essay

The purpose of this essay is to research and evaluate the question: In what ways does Shepard Fairey's We the People series and Norman Rockwell's Rosie the Riveter illustration reflect feminist movements in the US during their times? Both artists address the topic of feminism, but in different ways that are influenced by their era. To understand the influences of the artists, as both lived in very different times, it is necessary to explore not only their time, but their lives and artistic styles. Through doing so, an analysis of the selected works can be achieved to thoroughly answer the research question. Although Fairey and Rockwell present dramatically different illustrations, they both reflect the feminist movement in the US during both the early 1940s and 2010s using symbolism, repetition, and juxtaposition. Chapter Two: Background Information- Defining Political and Feminist Art To answer the research question, it is first necessary to understand the types of political art, as well as what defines feminist art to better comprehend the significance of the terms used in evaluation of the pieces. Art is embodied in the world around us, from what we wear to what we watch on TV. Often, we establish within it our own personal meanings and connections. Throughout history, artists have strived to present within their art a symbolic meaning that can be appreciated by the viewer. While some messages may appear abstract, they manifest a personal or cultural meaning that augments various feelings from the audience. Typically, these messages arise from one’s environment, both socially and politically. For instance, Andy Warhol (1928-1987) found his inspiration through pop culture, making the subjects of his work recognizable pieces of modern culture, from Marilyn Monroe (fig. 1) to a Campbell’s soup can (fig. 2). His work created a sense of mystery and esteem about the culture around us (The Andy Warhol Foundation). Like Warhol, other artists aim to make a statement about something within our lives, something everyone can connect to in some way.
…show more content…
Most times, what can be classified as a political piece often does not appear to uphold the common belief of what political art is. Political art is quite difficult to define because it ranges from pieces that are obviously political to those subtler in message (Croiheain). Political art is associated with an image that challenges or supports the status quo and is described as art that is “doing something” by addressing social or political issues (Tate). Its message usually is intended to empower individuals and communities, but is also open for various interpretations (Tate). The term “political art” can be divided into three different categories, according to Irish artist, Caoimhghin Ó Croidheáin. The first type is portrayal, which is art that exemplifies the idea that “this would happen if this happens now or has happened in the past” (Croiheain). Like the term suggests, this form of art tends to describe situations that people find themselves in, which can cause for multiple perspectives (Croiheain). For example, in art depicting 19th century slavery, one can find that two perspectives arise from one illustration: how a slave should be treated or the horrid treatment of slaves (fig. 3). With open interpretation, both sides have value. The second type is promotion, which highlights the means and ways towards the resolution of a problem (Croiheain). It also concentrates on

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    early critics and, paradoxically, has been ignored by recent feminist scholars.” Flack’s paintings are often categorized as either feminine or feminist, according to Woman’s Art Journal. In the 1970s women found it difficult to merge those two identities and Flack was well aware of the dueling demands in a woman’s life. Flack believed that a woman could be both feminine and a feminist. A woman didn’t have to choose and could create her own lifestyle.…

    • 105 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Instead of gently guiding the viewer through exploring the movement and impact it has had on modern day feminist art, the women being interviewed in the film become confrontational about how their impact has “been forgotten” in favor of the white male artist throughout history. Taking this approach of personal interviews creates an unintentional negative bias between the filmmaker and audience that works towards alienating the audience from the filmmaker’s…

    • 446 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    For the past 75 years, Rosie has served as a model to women of all ages, from all generations. She was the first popularized campaign for the women’s rights movements, considering the direct results after the campaign first went public. Prior movements, though still very important and influential to the current women’s rights movement, did not have the same direct impact. Remnants from the Rosie the Riveter campaign are still…

    • 1812 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Rosie the Riveter was an icon during World War Two. She started off as propaganda to gain women’s attention to persuade them to come work in the factories while their men were away at war. She soon turned into the face of women factory workers all over the nation, giving them an image of strength and determination that they did not have at home. Throughout the war, Americans came together as one nation to defend it from those who sought to destroy it. After the war was over, again we came together to heal as a country and come out of the struggles of war stronger.…

    • 1539 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Queen Of Fashion Summary

    • 1168 Words
    • 5 Pages

    All of these fashion details are of importance because it points to the shift and change in gender roles during World War II. Rather than having women watch the war from the sidelines, they instead became a part of the war and made contributions, mainly in industrial and factory work. Furthermore, because Rosie is dressed in ways similar to how men would dress when they would work, it indicates that women were starting to perform tasks that were originally considered as being men’s work only. Thus, it was the fashion and apparel in the image of Rosie that expressed the message of how a new role for women was being formed in society during World War II. This, in a sense, correlates to Marie Antoinette, when she began to ride horses.…

    • 1168 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The original Rosie the Riveter tried to convey that women have the right to work in any job field like men because in that time it was rare to see a woman working. With the crisis of the lack of jobs during the World War II, the government found is necessary to offer work for women, but they realized that women can also perform very well like men. However, the male chauvinism was still preventing the full recognition of women workers. Men used to think that women must take care of the kids and the house. With this Rosie’s new Afro-American edition was sought to achieve a positive change in the labor field for colored women too.…

    • 438 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    For example, in the 1890’s trough 1920’s women began to meet in circles to discuss of current affairs and the possible actions that could be taken. One of the most prominent conversation groups was held by Mabel Dodge, where multiple women from different background assembled and discussed of society’s problems. Women began to have radicalized ideas and vindicate for equality has they became aware of others struggles. The “new women” took actions through art as well as public demonstrations; they would shock the public by exposing controversial pieces of art advocating the importance of birth control or the unreasonable working conditions of factories. They brought a sense of “modernity” to the city has they endeavoured to change the outdated habits of its residents.…

    • 730 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Imagine looking at a painting on the wall and being instantly transported to another universe, one where there is no political divide, racism, or oppression. Through Lee Krasner’s Invocation, she transports the viewer away from the oppression created by society. Women during the 1960’s were unequal in the workplace to men. Stemming from the end of World War II where men were returning home from their tour of duty and demanding their jobs back. Even though this was slightly different than in the art world, where Krasner would have had to deal with critiques viewing her work as obsolete in comparison to her male counterparts.…

    • 1359 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Marion Muirhead argues in her journal article Edna fails to express her feelings and to get access to discourse contributes to her death and so does being denied access to her chosen profession of painting, which is another form of self-expression. Muirhead talks about the roles of women back then and how different it was for upper, middle and lower class women. Upper to middle class women work as…

    • 1571 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Early American Feminism In my essay I will be discussing the early American novels written by Hannah Webster Foster and Susanna Rowson. I will prove that Susanna Rowson’s Charlotte Temple fails to promote feminism while Hannah Webster Foster’s The Coquette promotes feminism.…

    • 807 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Women have been for a long time, and are still today, considered to be inferior to men. Since the first official feminist movement in the 1960s, women’s conditions have gradually gotten much better. However, when the short story “The Yellow Wallpaper” was published in 1892, women were most often seen only as their husband’s wife and nothing more. Still, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, the author of that same story, decided to do something bold: through her use of irony, through her allusions to prisons when describing the house, and through her use of the yellow wallpaper as a symbol, she is openly criticizing the oppression of women.…

    • 746 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Comparative Essay Feministic ideas, now and over the years, are rooted in the various attitudes of our social and cultural behaviors. To lack the acceptable image created by society is to be labeled less than ideal. Whether by bluntly stating it or carefully hinting the idea, many American poets, novelist, and social activist have, in one way or another, embarked on the idea. In “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy and “The Story of an Hour” by Kate Chopin both authors portray the life of a woman judged by the world around her. Analyzing the way each author presents their argument, it becomes evident that the iconic image instilled in women causes their destruction.…

    • 797 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Brilliant Essays

    Women’s Voice in Literature In the late 1800s and early 1900s, women’s roles evolved from mere housewives to passionate activists who were fighting for rights to their share of the American dream. The main goal of the women participating in the fight was the right vote. In an effort to rally more to their cause, women used not only organized protests but employed literature to speak out. Written during this time period, “The Yellow Wallpaper” and “Trifles” are works that portray women as passive timid beings that should listen to their counterparts.…

    • 2568 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Brilliant Essays
  • Great Essays

    Anne Spencer and Modern Feminism Anne Spencer was a lot of things; a poet, a teacher, a daughter, a wife, an artist, a scholar, a mother, a black activist, and she was recently recognized as a feminist. She is known today for the extremely modern ideologies that she believed in and communicated in her works. The feminist messages expressed by Anne Spencer and the modern feminists of today showcase a multitude of similarities; however the audiences and the methods used to share those ideals are vastly different. The Message…

    • 1516 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Great Essays

    Women’s movement was a feminist ideal that emerged in the late nineteenth century and had a profound influence on feminism well into the twentieth century. The “New Woman” is a representation of the struggle that the women were fighting for by advocating other women during that century to believe in the idea of women having their rights. The photo intentionally frames the men’s pictures on the shelf above her head, to state that during the nineteenth century, men had rights, and that is also what women wanted. The photo seems to portray the idea that women should be treated the same way that men are treated. The issue which was increasingly prominent, but these phrases “Equality the time is now” and “Vote for women” hardly hold weight anymore.…

    • 1977 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Great Essays