Mary Beth Edelson: A long over due tribute

First disclaimers, as an art historian/working critic I have known Mary Beth Edelson and her work since the feminist revolution of the 1970s. This being said I have to say I was knocked out by how au current the content of her art is now. The escalating war on women's rights being forwarded by the most extreme politicians and their puppet masters on the planet and in the US of A only serves to make us realize how very revolutionary her art was then and how radical it is today.
"The most intimate works included in the exhibition are a series of unique 10” x 12” black and white photographs with oil and collage that picture the artist’s early 1970’s ritual performances. This initial exploration of the possibilities of feminist “body art” has been widely reproduced and influential for subsequent generations of artists." The publicity blurb hardly covers the ground of what Edelson has done since her famous president setting appropriation of Leonardo's Last Supper in which she replaced his supporters with great women heroes of the past and then recent history. The original which was bought by the Museum of Modern art is on view in working form at the gallery (547 West 27th St. 6th Floor).
Not only is Mary Beth a cutting edge with it now artist but she also has a wicked sense of humor. I was highly amused by her women with guns series that included Bride of Frankenstein, Faye Dunaway in Bonnie and Clyde, and assorted other pistol packing mamas drawn from grade B film noir.
In this telling exhibition, Edelson now age 80 has let fly her imagination covering one wall with cut-outs embodying her most radical images. This is a virtual collage of her inspirations and a wonderful homage to all that inspired the feminist revolution of the 1970s and beyond.
If you have any political leanings, if you desire to be an activist and part of the solution not the on-going problem do not miss this Edelson's exhibition nor the excellent essay by Eleanor Hartney that accompanies it in the catalogue. Your mind will be opened, your spirit inspired and your activism ignited.