Barba,Nataly (Nataly)

Hello classmates! My name is Nataly Barba. You can call me "Nataly" or "Nat" is also fine with me. My preferred pronouns are she/her/hers. I am a first generation Chicana, born and raised in Los Angeles. I am currently a 2nd year working on a Psychology Major and Chicana/o Studies minor. I am very passionate about the arts, dance and theater in particular, so I feel like this class will allow me to see art through a new lens. I can't wait to learn more about how Chicana art and artist impact our communities today. 

Folklorico performance at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center 

Turning over to the readings by Linda Nochlin and Sybil Venegas, I did not find it surprising that white men are the reason behind the question, "Why have there been no great Women Artist?" It is not surprising to me because white men have always been known as having the most privilege. They were the ones to afford an education, so thus were seen as the intellectual ones. Women on the other hand were not always granted an education. It was even less likely to see them pick up a paint brush. Also, not surprising is that those few women who are know as great artist have a strong connection to a male artist. So this leads us back to the inequality that white men have power over art. 

What does surprise me is how femininity impacts ones view on art. Just because an art piece is done by a female does not mean that it is more feminine than an art piece done by a male. Or just because an art piece looks feminine does not mean that it's weak. I question what it is about the art piece that makes it look feminine? Is it the colors? The texture? The feelings conveyed through the piece? I bet if I was to randomly show someone an art piece and then ask if it was painted by a male or female, that person would not be able to tell the difference. 

Although women are not treated equally to men within the visual arts, that is not to say that Chicana women have the same disadvantages as white women. Chicana women have yet more of a disadvantage all because of the color of their skin. This is why classes like Chicana Art and Artist are so important because it brings awareness to such injustices.