During the 1960s the feminist movement gained momentum as it actively questioned gender norms and confronted oppressive stereotypes. By-products of the time included a number of women’s art collectives, such as the Art Workers Coalition (AWC) and the Women Artists in Revolution (WAR), all giving voice to women questioning their place and role in the world. WACK!, currently on view at the National Museum of Women in the Arts, derives its name from the various artist collectives and highlights a collection of feminist visual art created during 1965 -1980.

Holding over 300 pieces by 119 women from around the world, the exhibit is solid from start to finish. All mediums are represented, including painting, performance art, photography, film, video, fiber, and collage. WACK! demonstrates the range of emotion and thought brought out in the feminist movement. From the drop dead seriousness of Suzanne Lacy’s collaged Prostitution Notes (1975) to the outright humor of Tee Corinne’s Cunt Coloring Book (1975), you can feel the outrage and the irony, along with the quiet breaking of stereotypes.

The collection is chock full of influential feminist artists, like Judy Chicago, Miriam Shapiro, and Sylvia Sleigh, all who identified themselves as feminists and feminist artists, and all without whom this exhibit wouldn’t be complete.

Image of Big OX No. 2 courtesy of NMWA; copyright Miriam Shapiro