by Sally Swain
Swain, 31, is an Australian artist who was inspired to consider why so few great masterpieces depict such scenes as, say, someone sorting socks or washing lettuce. She set about trying to remedy this cultural gap by creating, in cleverly parodying styles, such works as Mrs. Degas Vacuums the Floor (with Mrs. Degas in ballet outfit, of course) and Mrs. Lichenstein Sobs (with a comic-bookish character thinking, "I don't care! I'd rather mow the lawn than call Brad for help").
Assuming there's a campaign somewhere to get the women behind great male artists out in front of the canvas, Swain has done it a service. The rest of us can just have a good time looking at the funny pictures. (Penguin, paper, $8.95)
Your Reaction
