Publisher's Weekly Review
Including names familiar--Kahlo, Kusama--and less widely known--Ashevak, Kngwarreye, Sher-Gil--this engaging introduction to the art and lives of 15 women active in the 20th century spans cultures, continents, and mediums. Each artist is given a dedicated chapter, marked by Herbert's colorful portraits. A single page of fiction sets the scene--"It was the first time she had... seen paper from the outside world. 'It's as thin as a shell from a snowbird's egg,' she thought"--segueing into a short biography punctuated with Herbert's pictures and artists' reproductions. The clear, informative prose is sensitive and forthright about challenges the women faced: "Back in 1950s Finland, for a woman to love another woman was illegal. But on the islands... they could live and love as they wanted." Page by page, these stories coalesce into a rich portrait showing women around the world making art against the odds. Ages 9--12. (Sept.)
Booklist Review
Each of the 15 female artists featured here overcame physical or societal barriers to make their mark in art. While a few names, like Frida Kahlo, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Faith Ringgold, are recognizable, most will probably be new to readers. The scope and range of racial diversity and artistic formats is impressive with such artists as Australian Emily Kame Kngwarreye, who infused Aboriginal Dreamings on large canvases; German Gabriele Münter, a founding member of the rebellious Blue Rider artists' group, who was forced to hide her art during WWII; and Japanese performance and polka-dot artist Yayoi Kusama. Less a collective biography, this book comprises collective profiles that focus on the artists' influences, how they overcame barriers (particularly because they were women), how their styles contributed to many art movements, and their lasting legacies. The profiles are works of art themselves with Herbert's mixed-media portraits of each artist and large reproductions of their works. A concluding Hall of Fame and glossary of art terms lend more information. An inspiring look at revolutionary women and their creativity.--Angela Leeper Copyright 2019 Booklist
