Sex is found in art. But because it is hung on a gallery wall, in a brightly lit room, alongside other works and viewed in public does this mean it cannot be classified as pornographic? Or because it is ‘art’ does it instead count as ‘erotica’? Although typically it is male artists who approach sexuality…
‘Femen’ is a feminist protest group that begun in the Ukraine in 2008, in which the female members literally use their own bodies as the physical site of their messages. Their topless protests are aggressive, and are met with fear, violence and hatred not only by opposition rallies but also from the authorities, inciting a…
“The Vagenda” is the largest, most popular feminist blog in the UK, founded only last year by two British journalists; Holly Baxter and Rhiannon Cosslett, and now contributed to by numerous anonymous writers from across the world. In the first 24 hours of launching their site, “Vagenda” received over 30,000 hits, and subsequently over 14…
What do Feminists look like? People only tend to disagree, to argue against a point, if that rejection is considered ‘cool’, only if its what everyone is talking about. Women (and men) today who consider themselves feminists face struggle against stereotyping as much as the next minority, due to society’s constant preoccupation with self-image. General…
Hannah Wilkes, “Wilkes’ “S.O.S Starification Object Series: An Adult Game of Mastication” (1974 – 1975) As one of the first feminist artists to use her own image in her artwork, Hannah Wilke uses photography and sculpture to promote feminist positivity surrounding the female form, whilst simultaneously commenting on the objectification of women throughout history, shame…
“Semiotics of the Kitchen” 1975 Martha Rosler An exploration into gendre identity was begun by one of the most radical movements of the sixties: THE WOMENS LIBERATION MOVEMENT. Inspired by their example, female video artists created some of the most successful visual investigations into gendre roles. The second wave of the feminist movement focussed on…
PORTRAYING LIFE: Manet at the Royal Academy The Royal Academy’s Main Galleries boast extensive space for the characteristic uproar, scandal and excitement that should supersede any successful ‘retrospective view’[1] of Manet’s works and career. As the first ever exhibition devoted to his portraiture; “Portraying Life” promised a deep and marvellous display of his paintings –…
Say It Again. 