Tag Page JuanitaMcNeely

Juanita McNeely’s Paintbrush Defied Silence in the Face of Pain and Power

Few artists have turned personal struggle into such a public force as Juanita McNeely. Emerging from St. Louis in the 1930s, McNeely’s six-decade journey through art was shaped by both her own battles and the broader feminist movement. Her canvases, often raw and boldly figurative, didn’t just depict women—they demanded attention for issues like abortion rights and bodily autonomy long before these topics found mainstream platforms. McNeely’s inventive use of multi-panel storytelling let her capture the complexity of female resilience, weaving together moments of vulnerability and strength. Works like "Is it Real? Yes it is!"—created before Roe v. Wade—still echo with urgency, reminding viewers that the fight for autonomy is far from over. Her legacy lives on in museums and ongoing exhibitions, proof that art can be both a mirror and a megaphone for social change. #FeministArt #JuanitaMcNeely #ArtHistory #Culture