The Musée Les Arts Decoratif opened its “Travaux de Dames” exhibition on International Womens’ Day featuring such artists as Niki de Saint-Phalle, Charlotte Perriand, Sonia Delauney and Elsa Schiaparelli. Canadian contemporary ceramic artist Kristin McKirdy— who has lived and taught classes in Paris for over 20 years— is showing an example of her new wall ensemble work.
The exhibition opens illustrating artistic activities to which women were confined until the early 20th century moving to signs of initial emancipation then to when women artists fully achieved the status of artists in their own right. Drawing on the museum’s collections and a range of disciplines, from the applied arts and graphic design to fashion, photography and fine art, the exhibition explores themes such as the Comité des Dames, created by the Union Centrale des Art Décoratifs in 1895, evoking the promotion and training of female artists at the very beginning of the 20th century.
“Travaux de Dames” continues to September 17, 2017. Les Arts Decoratifs, 111, rue de Rivoli, Paris
Photo caption: “Wall Ensemble ©Kristin McKirdy