The University of Alcala Hacks its Own Exhibit to Highlight the Gender Gap in Art

Nov. 06, 2023

To mark the 25th anniversary of being awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO, the University of Alcalá, in partnership with the independent creative agency Ernest, has launched 18,4 - Exhibit against the gap, an unprecedented communication action showcasing the inequalities which continue to exist in the art world: a gender price gap between artwork signed by men and by women.

In the art world, works by women have demonstrated great artistic value, and yet this has not been matched by the prices paid for them. According to a study published in the Journal of Cultural Economics, the market price of artwork signed by women is 18.4% less than their male counterparts.

The study – which was authored by Rachel A.J. Powell of Maastricht University, Marine Gertsbert of Monash University in Australia, and Fabian Bocart of the Art Worldwide Corporation – (link here) arrived at the figure after examining more than 2,600,000 auction transactions and over 100,000 artists. The paper also highlights other figures on the gender gap. They additionally conclude that works signed by women only account for between 3 and 5% of all those exhibited in major collections in Europe and the United States.

To give greater visibility to the most conclusive result of this research, selected works on show in the "La Iberoamericana de Alcalá" exhibit were displayed obscured by a placard covering 18.4% of their surface, the exact percentage of the pay gap unveiled by the research.

The placard bears the message:

In the art market 18,4% of this work is apparently WORTH NOTHING. Works created by women suffer from an 18.4% valuation gap. By bringing attention to this, we are helping to narrow it.

The inauguration was presided over by the dean of the University of Alcalá, José Vicente Saz Pérez, and by Raúl Fernández del Castillo, the director of arts and culture of the University of Alcalá. A round table discussion between the director and Adriana Arronte - a Cuban artist – was followed by a visit to the exhibit.

Jose Vicente Saz Pérez, the dean of the University of Alcalá assured:

"At the University of Alcalá, gender equality is viewed as an essential right in the pursuit of a better world. Gender equality forms part of the very bedrock of the University of Alcalá due to events that have transpired over the course of its history, such as the first ruling of mistreatment handed down by Dean Álvaro de Ayala in the case of Francisca de Pedraza 399 years ago. At the University of Alcalá we are and shall remain at the forefront of this battle which can only be won by promoting culture and education."

 

In a discussion with the director, José Raúl Fernández del Castillo, the Cuban artist Adriana Arronte called attention to the fact that many women have not been able to devote the time and energy to producing artwork that can be placed on the market. In her view, the solution involves groundwork to achieve a society in which men and woman can devote the necessary time to researching and producing art.

Eloy Martínez de la Pera, art curator, assured:

"The history of art has massively obscured the great women creators."

 

Ignacio Vicens, architect and collector, said:

"A study on the numbers will be forgotten, but surely no-one will forget an exhibit where the works are partially covered."

 

Eugenia Niño, gallery owner, noted:

"This should be a rotating exhibition; it carries a lesson." 

 

Abelardo Bethencourt, Managing Director of Ernest, said:

"There is nowhere better than the university sphere for exposing inequalities and fighting injustice. The University of Alcalá has vast experience in that regard, and this is but one more modest step in that dire0ction."

 

Nacho Guilló, Chief Creative Officer of Ernest, said:

"This is art fighting inequality with art."