Lover's Labor 1991

Editor: Here we have Miriam Schapiro's "Lover's Labor," created in 1991. It's a mixed-media piece—acrylic paint, fabric, collage, and even textile elements, it seems! What really strikes me is how she merges painting with traditionally "feminine" crafts. What's your perspective on this particular piece? Curator: The materiality is key here. Schapiro’s "Lover's Labor," like much of her femmage, deliberately challenges the hierarchy separating 'high art' and 'craft.' She foregrounds the labor often associated with women’s work—sewing, quilting, decorating—reclaiming it as a powerful form of artistic expression. The patterns, the fabrics... where do these materials come from, what kinds of bodies do they touch, and what labour makes that possible? These are the real questions here. Editor: So, the fabrics themselves carry a story? Like, the history of their production and use adds another layer? Curator: Exactly! Think about the social context of these materials. Textiles have historically been produced by women, often under exploitative labor conditions. By incorporating them into her art, Schapiro isn't just decorating; she's making a statement about women's labor, its value, and its erasure in mainstream art history. How does this material context shape your understanding of the 'lover's labor' depicted? Is it simply about romantic love, or is it something more complex, something tied to production and consumption? Editor: I see your point! It's not just a cute portrait, it highlights a whole system of labor. All that effort poured into love AND into the art making. I'll never look at mixed media the same way! Curator: And hopefully it will deepen our appreciation of materials, labor, and how artistic choices affect them!