HOW THE GUERRILLA GIRLS HOLD THE ART WORLD ACCOUNTABLE

She's My Muse | Jaime Meier

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The first time I saw artwork by the Guerrilla Girls in person was during the exhibition "The Incomplete History of Protest" at the Whitney Museum, which displayed the group's criticism of said museum for its sexist and racist collection. It was impressive to see that the impact of the group was so large that it not only pushed for the institution to change, but the institution displayed the works to publicly hold itself accountable and acknowledge its shortcomings. One of the most interesting things about the Guerrilla Girls is that, in addition to their impactful art, they are able to organize group action through anonymity and intersectionality. 

"History of Wealth and Power" by the Guerrilla Girls | Source

The Guerrilla Girls are known for their posters that call attention to gendered and racial inequality within art institutions, with their most famous poster comparing the amount of female artists and amount of naked women on display at the Met. Natalie Sherman's article gives a great overview of the group's history, beginning in 1985 and continuing to the present. A consistently relevant 35-year career is no easy feat within the art world and I believe this success is due to the 55 members that have joined the group over the decades. Some members stay for weeks while others stay for years, with the fluctuating membership allowing for new talent and ideas to keep the group relevant. A major part of their appeal to so many members is their dedication to intersectionality.

"Traditional Values and Quality Return to the Whitey Museum" by the Guerrilla Girls | Source

While the title "Guerrilla Girls" instantly associates them with women, the heart of their organization is feminism, which transcends gender. One of my favourite things about the group is that they do not homogenize by only looking at gender, they also consider racial implications that impact artists of colour. Their earliest works, such as "Traditional Values and Quality Return to the Whitey Museum," important demonstrate the distinction between gender and race. Most recently, they created a video in response to the ongoing police brutality in the United States. 

"NYC Recount" by the Guerrilla Girls | Source

Every few years the Guerrilla Girls update their posters to analyze how and if things have changed within the institutions they have critiqued. The continued accountability and calls to action are crucial for continued and sustained change. The updates often reveal minor improvement and quickly remind the institution that a one time or slight improvement will not be accepted in the place of sincere change. I believe the Guerrilla Girls are creating an art world that will allow for more people to enjoy art institutions because they will actively see themselves reflected and be more likely to engage.