Assignment task:
Navajo weaving, a traditional art that continues through the present day, is practiced almost exclusively by women. This kind of gender segregation in the arts has existed in many cultures throughout history. Highly-skilled women artisans did needlepoint in Medieval England, and women in Ancient Greece often practiced spinning yarn and weaving. Brightly colored African Kente cloths, however, until quite recently, were woven exclusively by men. Moreover, just as these trends have existed throughout art history, there have been some important exceptions. Enheduanna, the Sumerian poet, is the world's first named author. Baroque painter Artemisia Gentileschi, whom we learned about just a few weeks ago, is another notable exception. Consider some subtle differences in women's roles in the arts between the cultures you have read about this week.
- How do they compare to each other?
- How are they different, and what is the potential social implication?
- Use at least examples of art from this week's reading to support your ideas.