Care art in Bottrop: insights into the invisible work of women

Care art in Bottrop: insights into the invisible work of women

in the heart of Bottrop opens a new exhibition that deals with an often overlooked but still essential topic: the care work in art since the 1960s. This exhibition offers a comprehensive analysis and shows the artistic representations of activities that are traditionally assigned to women, such as household and childcare. It is a fascinating undertaking that not only questions artistic practice, but also social norms.

The catalog for the exhibition, published by Friederike Sigler and Linda Walther, offers insights into numerous works by artists from all over the world. The selection makes it clear that care work is a universal topic that goes far beyond national borders. The exhibition includes contributions from artists from Germany, Spain, Italy, Poland, South Africa, and even from North and South America, which underlines diversity and global dimensions of the topic.

The relevance of care work

The relevance of the exhibition is all the more remarkable when you consider that care work, despite its omnipresent in our everyday life, often remain invisible. Social and family obligations that are mostly attributed to women appear to be a matter of course. This has less to do with nature or biological differences, but rather with historical and cultural constructions that were determined by society. The origin of these role models goes back to the 18th century when the separation of public and private life was increasingly anchored.

It is evident that the editors and the artists presented in the exhibition question the social attributions and the associated expectations. A central concern of the exhibition is to increase the visibility of care work and to put it in the light as valuable and also remarkable activity. In modern societies in which gainful employment dominates through everyday activities in the private sector, this approach can be regarded as revolutionary

The discussion about material and shape in art that the artist and care worker connects with each other is particularly interesting. Materials such as laundry or everyday objects are processed in the works and invite you to reflect on the value of care work. Artistic practices that use these materials open up new ways to question social norms and to bridge the division between art and everyday life.

art between reality and representation

Another remarkable aspect of the exhibition is the way the boundaries between the reality of the artist and her art are blurred. In many articles, the artists themselves appear in their work, creating a direct connection between their living environment and artistic creation. This creates a discourse on the equation of role and identity: Is the artist also the housewife? And how does this affect our perception of your art?

The exhibition calls on the viewer to think about the prevailing interpretations of art and to question the often rigid categories in which women and their work are stuck. Here the art itself becomes a tool of change, which not only stimulates thinking, but also challenges to deal with existing power structures.

The way is the way the works of art are presented in the exhibition. The contributions often seem to decide to convey clear political messages. However, this definition can limit the complexity of the artistic statement and hinder innovative interpretations. By presenting the works as mere vehicles of political intentions, there is a lot from the provocative and playful aspects of the work on the route.

a new awareness of care work

The exhibition in Bottrop is not only an important step towards visibility of care work in art, but also a request to society, about one's own actions and the associated expectations. By putting these topics on the agenda, the artists and editors contribute to initiating the necessary discussions about gender roles and social norms. The examination of care work opens up a variety of perspectives and invites you to check your own values and possibly redefine it. The artist as a care worker may not only be a role, but could also represent the key to a deeper understanding of our society and its values.

The role of care work in society

care work, i.e. the care and care of relatives as well as the completion of homework, are central components of the social structure of many societies. These activities are often unpaid and are mainly carried out by women. According to a study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), women worldwide do around 76.2 % of unpaid nursing work, while men only do 28.9 %. This unequal distribution illustrates how deeply rooted gender roles in society are and what challenges are created.

Another aspect is the social recognition of these activities. Care work is often considered not only less valuable, but also a matter of course. In Germany, for example, a law to strengthen the rights of caring relatives was adopted in 2021, which, however, continues to leave questions about financial remuneration and social appreciation of care activities. The topic is complex and requires a deep discourse on social norms and values.

The influence of social movements on the perception of care work

The women's movement since the 1960s has initiated a fundamental change in the perception of care work. Important demands were a fairer distribution of care work and the recognition of these activities as socially valuable. Various initiatives have been launched in recent decades that aim to increase the visibility of care work and to promote the discussion about gender-specific assignments.

Examples of such initiatives are research projects and exhibitions that deal explicitly with care work. These projects not only help to raise awareness of the often invisible activities, but also to honor the contribution of this work on society. Artists and scientists repeatedly ask the question of how care work can be recognized politically and socially and which framework conditions are necessary to make a significant change.

Information on the topic can be viewed on websites such as the OECD as well as Women's movement where studies and recommendations for action can be found. The goal remains to redefine and understand the value of care work in both the individual and social context.

The future of care work

The discussion about care work is further intensified by current social developments, such as the increasing number of people in need of care and the increasing gainful employment of women. According to the Federal Statistical Office, the number of people in need of care in Germany will increase to around 4.5 million by 2030. This will make the question of the organization and the distribution of care work more than ever relevant.

The demand for a fair remuneration and recognition of care work is getting louder. These topics are also part of complex socio -political debates and require innovative solutions to meet the changing social requirements. Studies show that the implementation of a fair remuneration system for care work not only benefits the affected persons, but also strengthens whole society by leading to a fairer distribution of resources.