Here is where you will find me documenting my work, research and discussing artists whose works inspire me.
I started this project with the intention of focusing my subject matter on hierarchical systems that serve to oppress marginalised groups of people. Systems such as Classism, Capitalism and Patriarchy.
However, due to the recent uproar within the news and media about the prominence of violence against women and being a woman and young mother who has personally fell victim to domestic abuse which lead myself to live in a domestic violence refuge for 10months at the age of 19 with my 1 year old son, I have naturally lead to base my work for this project about violence against women and deep rooted issues which stem from the patriarchal system.
Issues such as the male gaze and how it subconsciously manipulates everybody’s minds to believe that women should be subservient to men and her purpose is to look ‘pretty’, bare children, do the cooking and cleaning. We see instances of this historically via artworks and scholarship painted and written by men, in current time we see instances of this via the media, and news outlets in the way they word headlines, articles and how they portray women and penalise them at every chance. Social media also plays a huge role in the way women and young girls feel the need to alter their appearance to feed the male gaze and in an attempt to feel accepted within the current social climate.
Experimenting with words and photography;
I started experimenting with photography within Photoshop & Adobe Spark. I wanted to create two contrasting pieces, using words and imagery that I associate with empowerment and disempowerment.
Lawrence Weiner
I began researching artists that use words and phrases as their main medium, upon my search I found an artist called Lawrence Weiner.
Lawrence Weiner is an American conceptual artist that uses block coloured typography and juxtaposing words arranged on huge gallery walls to create narratives that evoke emotion within the audiences minds.
I started to think about how I could use words effectively within my own work, I decided to write down all of the words that I would link to violence against women and that feed into the whole culture of women hating that is undeniably prominent within the current social climate. I then proceeded to find the antonyms for each word and placed them beside eachother in a bid to create contrasting, counteractive phrases.
Understood – Misunderstood
Included – Segregated
Communicate – Silence
Loved – Abused
Sane – Insane
Truth – Lies
Empowered – Gaslit
Comforted – Distressed
Compassionate – Indifferent
Empath – Narcissist
Acknowledged – Ignored
Free – Captive
Respected – Disrespected
Sex – Rape
Supported – Unsupported
Reassured – Disheartened
Modest – Slag
The Kuelshov Effect
Florence Given
Florence Given is a British illustrator, feminist, influencer, social activist and the author of ‘Women Don’t Owe You Pretty’.
Florence’s illustrations are simple digital line drawings filled with block colours which hold a distinct style that is completely unique to Florence.
Barbara KrugerSexual Abuse
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Jannylili
Very important studies everyone should acknowledge! Thanks a lot for sharing. ^-^