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Women Artists Action Group facts for kids

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Women Artists Action Group (W.A.A.G.)
Formation 1987
Region served
 Ireland
Official language
 English

The Women Artists Action Group (W.A.A.G.) was a special group for women artists in Ireland. They believed in equal rights and opportunities for women. Their main goal was to help Irish women artists get noticed. The group was active from 1987 to 1991.

The W.A.A.G. Story

The Women Artists Action Group started in 1987. It was founded by three artists: Pauline Cummins, Breeda Mooney, and Louise Walsh. Pauline Cummins was the first leader of the group. There was also a similar group in Northern Ireland called N.I.W.A.A.G.

Why W.A.A.G. Started

The group was formed because many people felt that women artists were not shown enough in art exhibitions in Ireland. They also reacted to a big exhibition in 1987. This show, at the National Gallery of Ireland, was called "Irish Women Artists from the Eighteenth Century to the Present Day." W.A.A.G. wanted to make sure women artists got more attention.

Exhibitions and Events

W.A.A.G. held its first art show at the Project Arts Centre in 1987. More than 90 women artists, like Anne Madden, showed their work. This exhibition included over 100 slides of artwork. These slides later became a special collection kept by W.A.A.G.

Their second exhibition happened in 1988. It was held at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, which is now the Irish Museum of Modern Art. This show featured many student artists from the National College of Art and Design.

Connecting with Artists Worldwide

W.A.A.G. wanted to connect with women artists around the world. Breeda Mooney, who was a leader of W.A.A.G., was chosen for a role in the International Association of Women in the Arts. This happened in 1991, when Dublin was the European City of Culture.

As part of the celebrations, 11 women artists from different parts of Europe created art. Their artworks were placed along the River Liffey in Dublin. The art pieces were all about "Women Artists and the Environment." Dublin also hosted a visit from the Guerrilla Girls, a famous group of feminist artists. From 1987 to 1991, W.A.A.G. also organized many conferences across Ireland.

Notable Members

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