#lorraine inzalaco

[lesbianarthistory]

Lorraine Inzalaco – Insatiably Yours (n. d.)

[notbeingnoticed]

Lorraine Inzalaco – Insatiably Yours

[youcannottakeitwithyou]

Lorraine Inzalaco (American, *1933) 

[lesbianartandartists]

Lorraine Inzalaco, Sated Pair, n.d., oil on paper

[notbeingnoticed]

Lorraine Inzalaco, Insatiably Yours

[youcannottakeitwithyou]

Lorraine Inzalaco (American, *1946) 

[youcannottakeitwithyou]

Lorraine Inzalaco (American, *1946) 

[youcannottakeitwithyou]

Lorraine Inzalaco (American, *1933)

[youcannottakeitwithyou]

Lorraine Inzalaco (American, *1933)

[lesbianartandartists]

Lorraine Inzalaco, Connection, n.d., monoprint

[lesbianartandartists]

Lorraine Inzalaco, Insatiably Yours

[lesbianartandartists]

There has been major damage done to the creative energy of the Lesbian artist because of the historical invalidation of Lesbian experience. a lack of continuity, and the absence of a supportive art community. In our world of image and language, silence is oppression. For values and creativity to flourish for Lesbians, there must be ‘out’ Lesbian art: Lesbian images, the works of Lesbian hands, along with the right to decide for ourselves what those images are to be and what they stand for. Lesbian artists need other Lesbian artists, both past and present to provide a dialogue and a sense of history. There is no doubt that Lesbians have been making art, poetry and music since the beginning of time. There was no real gap from Sappho to you and me. So what has happened to all the Lesbian art throughout history? More importantly, how has this repression and sense of absence affected our creative energy, both personally and collectively? I strongly believe that these long periods of suppression and erasure have minimized our creativity before it has had a chance to take shape. Lesbians, like every other artistic group, need continuity to become strong, prolific, and visible. Although there have been many Lesbian artists through history, most of them were erased by religious beliefs, homophobic and misogynistic art historians and museums, and more recently, galleries and art critics. Sadly, the few who are mentioned in history books and seminars are portrayed as women artists only, not as Lesbians. Looking at the art produced by some of these women, while examining the style, subject matter, and emotional tenor of their works, and at the same time reading between the lines of their biographies and autobiographical statements, I suspect that many great artists such as Artemisia Gentileschi, Rosa Bonheur, Cecilia Beaux, and Mary Cassatt, to mention only a few, were passionate Lesbian artists drawing from their personal loves and sensibilities. It is important to know the whole truth about the art and its maker to help keep the creative energy flowing from generation to generation. It is vital to engage in conversations with Lesbian artists of the past, and across cultures as well. I can think of no better way to grow and thrive as a collective than to reproduce our art and have it shown, so that other Lesbians can discover their relations, and feel elation. Thus we can fill that void and establish an art community. Part of creating a sense of community is encountering role models. Several times I have been invited to present my art to Lesbian youth groups. I know how very important it would have been for me, when I was a teen, to see and meet an ‘out’ Lesbian artist. It is still important to me. And there is yet another reason that opportunities such as this are meaningful. I once heard a gay teen speak on the importance of teachers and public figures being ‘out’, saying “I want to see ‘out’ gays...we have plenty of good closeted role models.” We do have quite enough closeted role models, and that is one reason why I am proud to paint my life’s experience of women loving women. By bringing these images of Lesbian love out into the air, a conversation can begin in society and in the art world. It is essential for everyone, not just Lesbians, to see beautiful images of women loving each other through Lesbians’ eyes. It is through such images and conversations that we begin to see ourselves as members of the world beyond our own enclaves, and that others begin to appreciate our beauty and dignity.

Lorraine Inzalaco— Why We Need Lesbian Imagery in Art

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