Heartfelt 

Miriam Schapiro created this vibrant mixed-media piece, Heartfelt, using fabric, paint, and collage. The work embodies what Schapiro termed "femmage" - art that celebrates women's traditional crafts and domestic arts, elevating them to the realm of high art. Made in the United States, this piece engages with the feminist art movement of the 1970s and beyond. Schapiro’s work sought to challenge the male-dominated art world and reclaim traditionally feminine artistic practices, such as quilting, embroidery, and sewing. These were often devalued or ignored by mainstream art institutions. The heart, a potent symbol of love and emotion, is rendered here through a distinctly female lens. The floral patterns and decorative elements, often associated with women's work, are deliberately foregrounded. Understanding Schapiro's art requires us to look at the social and institutional contexts in which it was made, questioning how art history has been written and whose voices have been excluded. Feminist art criticism, historical archives, and exhibition records can provide valuable insights into her artistic project.