What do you see going on in this work of art? Is there a story depicted?

A painting to show women empowerment by showing all the ways that women can be apart of society, especially in roles often seen as just for men, such as a police officer, construction worker, basketball player, etc. The painting doesn’t just show women working, but also doing other activities like getting married and dancing. One on the scenes shows a mother and has a book open of a quote by Rosa Parks: “I knew someone had to take the first step…” This quote connects to the other panels, as it shows that for women to be able to do and be anything, someone had to take the first step to make it happen.

What different visual elements (ie: line, color, light, proportions, scale, composition, media type etc.) do you notice, and how do they help you make sense of the artwork?

The painter puts blue and green highlights around the faces of the women in the painting. We wondered if this had any significance or if that was just their style of painting. The colors used are bold with 4 background colors of blue, green, red, and brown. Each panel with the same color is opposite of each other, creating parallel lines as you look at the painting. Women of different races and ethnicities are portrayed in the painting, showing diversity and unity amongst all women. The painting is oil on canvas and is large in terms of scale, which adds to its impact.

What choices do you think the museum made about the object’s display?

The painting is in the middle of the room and it’s the biggest one in the room. This makes it so that it sticks out and catches your attention. This way of displaying this painting really helps to drive home the message to inspire other women to become whatever they wish in society and not be afraid to stand out.

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