There have long been critiques of the histories of video art for the lack of presence of women in these histories. Museums and art scholars celebrate the male-dominated avant-garde and the work of many women is relegated to a less dominant position. Women have long offered complex counter-narratives to the established cultural norms through their work.

Video artist Kate Gilmore's work re-imagines female agency in the post-postmodern world. Her work critiques the complex relationship of women to the art establishment and their reception within it. In her work she is typically a lone protagonist enduring strenuous performances where physical comedy meets exercises in endurance. The author describes Gilmore's body of work and positions it amongst the work of Gilmore's contemporaries.