Ida Applebroog's work covers a wide range of themes, including feminism, social issues, and issues of identity. She expresses her creative ideas through media such as painting, drawing, installation art, photography, and performance art. One of the recurring themes in Ida Applebroog's work is the exploration of gender and power relations. She demonstrates her focus on feminism through her depiction of women's experiences and social roles, as well as her critique of gender norms and oppression. Her work is often challenging and controversial, provoking viewers to think about social and cultural issues. I found inspiration through her works around 1969 when she suffered a nervous breakdown.
“Mercy Hospital” (1969)
watercolor and ink on paper (all photos by the author for Hyperallergic)
During her time in the hospital, Applebroog — who was then still going by her married name, Ida Horowitz — made art. Using Indian ink, pastel, graphite, and watercolor, Applebroog grappled with her depression in more than 100 drawings. When she recovered, she put them in a box and forgot about them. Decades passed — she changed her last name, began exhibiting her art, got gallery representation, and won awards. （Steinhauer, J. 2017）
Monalisa
Ida Applebroog
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2009
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Mixed media on canvas, 3 panels
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265.1 x 197.5 x 3.8 cm / 104 3/8 x 77 3/4 x 1 1/2 in
Given my creative ideas for the next stage, I tried to use different emotions and psychological states to analyze myself, and intuitively experience my own changes through painting.
Ida Applebroog, left: “Mercy Hospital” (1969)
ink, pencil, and watercolor on paper
right: “Mercy Hospital” (1969)
ink and watercolor on paper
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Steinhauer, J. (2017) The drawings Ida Applebroog made during a breakdown, Hyperallergic. Available at: https://hyperallergic.com/374490/the-drawings-ida-applebroog-made-during-a-breakdown