I often feel that a stroll through the aisles of Art Basel Miami Beach is somewhat like a visit to a museum – multiplied by some large figure. Missing, in most cases, is interpretation and storytelling that I value in museum visits.

In some instances, however, storytelling is loud and clear in the Kabinetts some of the gallerists assemble. I already wrote about the remarkable, recent Kay WalkingStick paintings. shown by Hales (see 8 December post). Surrealist artist Leonor Fini received an amount of local and national press; somehow I missed her Kabinett. I did get some time to admire the work of Honoré Sharrer (1920–2009). The spotlight has turned to her and other women artists of her generation by curators and art historians, especially because of her visual concern for gendered inequality.

For some unknown reason, I was drawn to the work of other women artists during my strolls. Looking at their work and into their stories, as stong feminist thread runs through each of their works.

Faith Ringold‘s delightful works bring to life anothe era of music and merriment (https://www.faithringgold.com/).

Rosie Lee Tompkins, also known as Effie Mae Howard, was a prolific quilter and fiber artist from California (https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/06/26/arts/design/rosie-lee-tompkins-quilts.html).

I think I was introduced to the sculptures of Elizabeth Turk last year during Art Basel (see 5 December 2022 post). One of the many themes running though this year’s fairs was upcycling or repurposing. The base of a sculpture from the old Getty Villa was repurposed to make this gracefully undulating work.

I first saw the exceptional weavings created by Sheila Hicks in the American Consulate in Morocco. I was in undergraduate student in Morocco to do a short-term observation study of textiles. Hicks has surprisingly remains up-to-date, adapting to modern trends and techniques; always a thrill to see you new works.

Two works by Wendy Red Star (Apsáalooke) (https://www.wendyredstar.com/) mounted on beautifully marbled papers snuck up on me. These images are reminscent of the so-called Ledger paintings, narrative paintings by Plains Indians in the latter part of the 19th century.

Mickalene Thomas (http://mickalenethomas.com/) is best known as a painter of complex works using rhinestones and bling. This “princess” did not disappoint.

Tschabalala Self (https://tschabalalaself.com/) is best known for her depictions of Black female figures using paint, fabric, and discarded pieces of her previous works.