Conversation with Carey Lovelace, New York, 2003

In this extensive conversation, Carey Lovelace gives insight into the initial euphoria of the early 1970s feminist movement, which faced challenges as idealistic visions met practical realities. During this period, initiatives like Heresies and the Woman's Building emerged.

The 1980s brought a backlash against feminism and a decline in the visibility of female artists. In response, academic feminism, influenced by theoretical movements from France and England, emerged. According to Lovelace: “Academic feminism in the early 80s was critical of the 70s’ activist feminism, viewing its celebration of the female as reinforcing sexist dichotomies… The critique of essentialism emerged, arguing that celebrating an ‘essential woman’ reinforced structures of thinking that needed to be critiqued for real change.” Lovelace notes that this critique often seemed misogynistic itself, as it devalued the efforts of pioneering feminist artists. “By the early 90s, a neo-feminist movement arose, marked by rebellion against regression and the emergence of a more humorous, renegade feminism linked to the grunge and riot grrrl movements.” Artists like Jenny Holzer, Zoe Leonard, and Janine Antoni exemplified this new wave. Lovelace also refers to artists like Vanessa Beecroft and Lisa Yuskavage, whose work includes imagery that earlier feminists might have deemed pornographic. However, Lovelace argues that these artists are reclaiming and repurposing such imagery. “Core feminist values include ultimate choice, where women can pursue any path—from motherhood to corporate leadership to being a nun—reflecting true empowerment.”

Lovelace address her deepening interest in documenting the history of women artists from the 1970s. She highlights the contrast between the U.S. West Coast, where feminist efforts were well-documented, and the East Coast, where documentation was sparse, making reconstruction of events more challenging. Lovelace concludes that although feminism has resurged, “movement moves very incrementally. You go forward, you go back… you hear women talk about, oh, the young women, they don’t understand feminism. They’re going back. But you know, when I was a young woman, I didn’t understand feminism. And I think there are reasons why when women get older… you see things differently. And, so, that’s my speech.”