Hashtag Activism: Examining Visual Artists Through the Lens of #MeToo

Abstract

Throughout the years many women, and some men, have come forward to share their accounts of sexual abuse. Although these stories may have been acknowledged, they were often met with disbelief and varying amounts victim-blaming for those who spoke out. Two years ago, the #MeToo movement brought the realities of sexual assault in the entertainment industry to the forefront of the American zeitgeist. This movement quickly spread around the world exposing sexual abusers in a variety of industries and walks-of-life. In this paper I will discuss the presence of sexual assault in the Visual Arts, the reaction from those both in the art world as well as from the general public and the ongoing changes in art that are occurring as a result of the #MeToo movement. I will also pose the question; how can the art world best resolve the problems which have resulted from the indiscretions of a few of artists? This research is significant as it re-examines the works of three great artists through the lens of sexual misconduct and how the art world must reconcile these artists’ works with their improprieties.