Women, Aging, and Art

What images come to mind with the words "e;women"e;, "e;aging"e;, "e;old"e;, even "e;elderly"e;? Are they stereotypes? Are there any positive associations? The thirteen contributions to this edited volume explore a broad range of images of old women, ranging from medieval "e;old wives"e; to contemporary re-imaginations of shamans and witches and empowering self-portraits. Works from medieval Europe to colonialtime Polynesia, present West Africa, Japan, and the Americas, in a multiplicity of media are explored in detail. These studies of varied representations of "e;old women"e; offer fresh perspectives and an engaging dialogue about society's values and preconceptions regarding the wisdom of our elders and the "e;golden years"e; in different times and cultures.