Indescribably feminine: Art shows the lives of women in the GDR

Indescribably feminine: Art shows the lives of women in the GDR

How does the image of women in art emerge? An exciting question that is currently being answered in Cottbus. The exhibition “Indescribably Female” is running there, which sheds light on the realities of women’s lives in the GDR. Around 100 works by artists such as Lutz Friedel and Monika Geilsdorf will be shown, representing a variety of perspectives and experiences. This show not only addresses the idealization of femininity, but also the tensions between socialist promises of equality and traditional role expectations.

The curator Carolin Kühne emphasizes that we are not just looking at “pictures of women”. In the unofficial art scene of the GDR, women were often portrayed as socialists, working people and mothers, but also as vulnerable and self-empowering. “Indescribably Female” offers an intensive examination of the topic of falling out of role with almost 200 looks from women.

Art and social context

The exhibition addresses the idealization of socialist women and the distancing from them that many female artists experienced. Works by women like Sabine Herrmann, whose charcoal drawing “Woman in a Wheel” from 1991 is one of the central works in the exhibition, reflect the feeling of being constantly active without anything really moving. Herrmann not only survived the reunification period artistically, she also became successful in museums and on the market.

The image of women in the GDR was shaped by the policies of the SED, which propagated equality and emphasized women's independence through their participation in working life. In the 1960s, around 62 percent of employable women worked - that was more than in West Germany. However, many women remained trapped in traditional roles. The wages were often lower, and the multiple burdens of family, work and household duties were a reality for many. These aspects can also be seen in the artworks in the exhibition, which address both the challenge and the beauty of women's lives.

Diversity of life forms

Kühne points out that the exhibition makes the diversity of life forms visible. Portraits in the exhibition, such as the censored work “Resting Mother with Child” by Wilhelm Lachnits, show that the image of women in the GDR was not just one-sided. Many works also reflect an artistic displeasure in the face of external expectations. Women found ways to engage with their experiences and express them through art.

For many artists, the '68 movement was a key moment. In the 70s and 80s they increasingly came to the fore with new themes such as discomfort and vulnerability. If we take a look at the exhibition, we don't have to mince words: these pictures tell of reality, of challenges, but also of strengths.

The exhibition “Indescribably Female” can be seen at the Cottbus diesel power plant until August 10th and offers a valuable insight into the eventful art history of the GDR and the image of women at that time. Definitely worth a visit for anyone interested in art and the roles of women in society.

The exhibition makes it clear that the achievements of women's advancement are not self-evident and can certainly be reversed. She reminds us how important it is to continue to promote the visibility of women in art and society.

For more information, see the articles from fr.de, daserste.de and hdg.de.