Objects often made by women, such as utilitarian or decorative pottery and baskets, have historically been marginalized within the canon of art history. Works on display here attest to the history of women as makers of objects that simultaneously preserve traditions and push boundaries in materials including clay, reeds, and silver.

Adapting motifs and symbols from Chinese visual and cultural traditions, as well as antique photographs of Chinese society by Western observers, Liu transformed documentary-style photography into painterly, personal reflections on canvas and paper.

Wilhelmina Cole Holladay (1922–2021), founder of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, dedicated herself to addressing the underrepresentation of women artists in museums and galleries worldwide. Explore her life and legacy in this memorial exhibition.

This exhibition presents approximately 30 images photographer Mary Ellen Mark made throughout her career depicting girls and young women. The images are drawn from an exceptional recent donation of more than 160 photographs by the artist, given by members of the Photography Buyers Syndicate.

Textile and social practice artist Sonya Clark (b. 1967) is renowned for her mixed-media works that address race and visibility, explore Blackness, and redress history. This exhibition—the first survey of Clark’s 25-year career—includes the artist’s well-known sculptures made from black pocket combs, human hair, and thread as well as works created from flags, currency, beads, cotton plants, pencils, books, a typewriter, and a hair salon chair. 

The exceptional mark-making practices in the mixed-media works and prints by Ambreen Butt (b.1969, Lahore, Pakistan) reveal the deeply personal connection between her global consciousness and the meditative, labor-intensive processes involved in her creations.

Explore the possibilities of paper in Paper Routes, the sixth installment of NMWA’s exhibition series Women to Watch, showcasing the transformation of this everyday material into surprising works of art. Ranging from delicate and minute to dense and monumental, works in Paper Routes reveal the diversity of approaches and inventive paths taken by contemporary artists.

This exhibition features books that incorporate and expand upon simple accordion folds to add complexity and movement. Part of “The Book as Art,” a series of online exhibitions that introduces the boundless creativity artists use to transform and reinvent books as we know them.

DMV Color features an eclectic assortment of contemporary books, graphic novels, photobooks, and zines by women of color with ties to the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. This exhibition includes select audio contributions from the artists discussing their work.

This exhibition features unbound books, or books without traditional bindings. Part of “The Book as Art,” a series of online exhibitions that introduces the boundless creativity artists use to transform and reinvent books as we know them.

This exhibition features altered books, art objects created with existing printed books. Part of “The Book as Art,” a series of online exhibitions that introduces the boundless creativity artists use to transform and reinvent books as we know them.

This exhibition features books that transform into recognizable objects that tell stories or reveal information. Part of “The Book as Art,” a series of online exhibitions that introduces the boundless creativity artists use to transform and reinvent books as we know them. 

This exhibition features accordion books that open and close like their namesake musical instruments. Part of “The Book as Art,” a series of online exhibitions that introduces the boundless creativity artists use to transform and reinvent books as we know them. 

This exhibition features carefully engineered movable books that transform into three-dimensional marvels. Part of “The Book as Art,” a series of online exhibitions that introduces the boundless creativity artists use to transform and reinvent books as we know them.

This exhibition features the codex, the most common book format made of pages bound to a spine. Part of “The Book as Art,” a series of online exhibitions that introduces the boundless creativity artists use to transform and reinvent books as we know them.

The heartfelt letters showcased in this online exhibition are from the last few years before Matilde Calderón de Kahlo’s death.The letters highlight the personal affection between Frida Kahlo and her mother and showcase Kahlo as the person, not the icon.