Ninth Street Women

Published in 2017, Mary Gabriel’s work “Ninth Street Women” focuses on the lives of five female artists who shaped New York’s art scene and the development process of Modern Art in the post-Cold War era. In her book, Gabriel discusses in detail how Lee Krasner, Elaine de Kooning, Grace Hartigan, Joan Mitchell, and Helen Frankenthaler shaped the male-dominant Abstract Art movement. The title of the work refers to the women artists who participated in the “Ninth Street Exhibition” organized by Leo Castelli in 1951, which is considered the starting point of the Abstract Expressionism movement. Considering the social and political climate of the period, Gabriel’s close inspection on the difficulties that they have faced, their art productions, and details about their lives is concluded as truly reflecting them as strong and independent artists rather than muses or partners of their male counterparts. Biography work that features Lee Krasner’s pioneering footsteps, Elaine de Kooning’s huge impact on the New York School, Grace Hartigan’s daring choices for her art, and how Joan Mitchell and Helen Frankenthaler left their wealthy families behind for their art. The lives of these five very different women intersect in New York’s tumultuous art scene. We are also excited about the new television series focusing on Mary Gabriel’s book titled “Ninth Street Women” which will be aired on Amazon Prime soon. Mary Gabriel’s highly acclaimed book can be bought on online book-selling platforms.