Tschabalala Self

The group exhibition Women and Change unfolds how Western art history has depicted women from the Modern Breakthrough of the late nineteenth century to the most recent contemporary art. In a wealth of works of art by Danish and international artists, the show explores how artists have, over the course of the past 150 years, reflected, responded to and resisted changing perceptions of both women and gender: from Impressionist portraits to performative body art; from lush studies of nudes to critical examinations of how history is written.

The history of the women’s movement begins to leave its mark on the world of art as far back as 1870. New ideas about women’s emancipation – and a new outlook on art – meant that more women artists got the opportunity to practice their art and exhibit. The word ‘kvinde’ for ‘woman’ entered the Danish language as a replacement for more dismissive labels these years, raising hopes for new times ahead in terms of women’s rights and roles.

Since then, countless artists have rebelled against traditional depictions of women, helping to expand and add nuance to our view of gender and gender identity. Since 2017, the #MeToo movement – originally launched by African-American activist Tarana Burke in 2006 – has shown us that the battle for women’s right to their own bodies remains ongoing.

Our concepts of women and femininity are constantly changing, renegotiated and up for discussion. 'Women and Change' tells the story of women’s liberation through art while also exploring our present time where new perspectives and perceptions of body ideals, gender identity and femininity infuse the public debate.

This spectacular, sensuous and thought-provoking exhibition features works by Marina Abramovic, Genesis Belanger, Bolette Berg og Marie Høeg, Dara Birnbaum, Benedikte Bjerre, Louise Bourgeois, Elina Brotherus, Nancy Burson, Arvida Byström, Claude Cahun, Sophie Calle, Cassils, Franciska Clausen, Kate Cooper, Anne Katrine Dolven, Marlene Dumas, Ditte Ejlerskov og EvaMarie Lindahl, Paul Gauguin, Guerrilla Girls, Gudrun Hasle, Lea Guldditte Hestelund, Astrid Holm, Olivia Holm-Møller, Sophie Holten, Kirsten Justesen, Lena Johanson, Birgit Jürgenssen, Marie Krøyer, P.S. Krøyer, Johannes Larsen, Marie Laurencin, Sarah Lucas, Vilhelm Lundstrøm, Ana Mendieta, Lee Miller, Carla Colsmann Mohr, Berthe Morisot, Emilie Mundt, Wangechi Mutu, Kai Nielsen, Astrid Noack, Frida Orupabo, Lene Adler Petersen, Laure Prouvost, Paula Rego, Tabita Rezaire, Pipilotti Rist, Niki de Saint Phalle, Luna Scales, Tschabalala Self, Cindy Sherman, Apolonia Sokol, Alina Szapocznikow, Vibeka Tandberg, Mickalene Thomas, Andy Warhol, Gerda Wegener, Sif Itona Westerberg, J.F. Willumsen, Francesca Woodman, Kristian Zahrtmann and Cajsa von Zeipel.