November 29 – December 14, 1978
Richard E. Fuller Gallery, Eugenia Fuller Atwood Library
Glenside, Pa. – Contemporary artist Miriam Shapiro’s unique painting The Anatomy of a Kimono will be on exhibition for the first time in the Philadelphia area November 29 through December 14 at Beaver College, Easton and Church Rds., Glenside. The artist will discuss the large multi-panelled-painting in a lecture on Wednesday, November 29 from 4:30 to 5:30 PM. A reception will follow at 7:30 PM. All events will take place in the Richard Eugene Fuller Gallery of Art located in the Atwood library. The gallery will be open to the public from 1:00 – 5:00 PM daily.
Critics have claimed Ms. Shapiro’s feminine influenced effort to be a major work of art[;] it is seen as an extended commentary on the theme of the Japanese kimono. She contributes her inspiration for the painting to her former assistant at California Institute of the Arts who sent her a book on Japanese kimonos after recalling the artist’s expressed interest on the subject several years prior.
Ms. Shapiro devotes a great deal of her energy to the development of women’s role in art. Much of her work reflects the tremendous influence that women have on both the creation and content of art. This is apparent through her use and exploitation of subject matter that often relates to traditional “women’s” interests such as fabrics, clothing, and souvenirs. Her successful efforts to write, lecture and organize groups reinforce her belief that women indeed, have a stronghold in the world of art. She has proven to be a motivating force within that world through her creative approach. The work of Miriam Shapiro is included in the collections of an extensive list of public institutions including the Museum of Modern Art, The Whitney, and the [Hirshhorn] Museum in Washington, D.C. She has had over 30 solo exhibitions since 1950 along with innumerable group shows.
