Discrimi-NATION: Guerrilla Girls' First Commercial Exhibition in New York

The iconic feminist art group, the Guerrilla Girls, known for their critique of gender inequality in the art world, is showcasing its inaugural commercial exhibition in New York. Held at the Hannah Traore Gallery in the Lower East Side, the exhibition is aptly titled Discrimi-NATION: Guerrilla Girls on Bias, Money, and Art. Despite their historical significance and presence in global museums, this marks only their third commercial exhibition in four decades.

Challenging the Commercial Gallery Norms

The Guerrilla Girls have long emphasized activism over profit, with their affordable posters priced at around $30 or $40, posing a challenge to gallery-driven business models. "Our work is not what a gallery profits from," said Käthe Kollwitz, a pseudonymous founding member. The group's confrontational approach has historically deterred commercial galleries, and they admit they haven't actively pursued this avenue until now.

A History of Activism

Founded in 1985 by seven women artists, the group emerged as a response to gender disparities highlighted by the Museum of Modern Art's 1984 exhibition, which featured only 13 women artists out of 165. Through posters and public actions, funded by collective contributions, they called attention to gender and racial imbalances in art.

Guerrilla Girls quickly gained prominence, and today, 99 international museums, including MoMA and the Tate Modern, have their works in their collections. Kollwitz notes that annually they participate in over 20 museum exhibitions, many of which provide artist fees, supporting them independently from commercial markets.

Changes in the Art World

Hannah Traore, inspired by the collective's influence, initiated this exhibition after reacquainting herself with their work via an Art21 documentary. "Their anonymity allows them to enact change powerfully," she says, emphasizing evolutionary yet slow improvements for women in the art market.

Most works in this exhibition are not available for sale, yet Traore offers print portfolios ranging from $35,000 to $40,000 and other items under $5,000. "This isn't about making money," Traore explains. The collaboration presents a chance to showcase the Guerrilla Girls to new audiences, especially younger generations.

Commitment to Diversity and Long-term Change

The exhibition also focuses on racial issues, featuring pivotal works like Only 4 Commercial Galleries in NY Show Black Women (1984). Traore was drawn to works that address the Black experience, leading to a thematic focus on discrimination. Kollwitz discusses their past confrontations with galleries, highlighting the necessity of their controversial activism.

The exhibition represents a comprehensive view of the Guerrilla Girls' journey, aligning historic pieces with recent works. "We've aimed to provoke thoughtful reconsiderations of what constitutes the most impactful art," concludes Kollwitz.

Exhibition Details:

Discrimi-NATION: Guerrilla Girls on Bias, Money, and Art

Hannah Traore Gallery, New York

January 17 - March 29