Be the Banana Skin - A Feminist Art Intervention International Women's Day, Blott Artist Studio, 2016
A Creepy Endeavour 2016 The main objective of this ‘body of work’ pertains to ‘the female’ within history and culture, whilst also referring to aspects of ‘private & public’ space. Such aspects are highly contradictory and complex, and the work can become paradoxical, deferring conclusion and in a sense redefining its relegation and containment. Restriction, containment, oppression and domination require liberation, and this can become unchallenging to the boundaries it finds itself.
Implicitly inherent in my work is the idea of ‘place and space’; the ‘idea’ essentially referring to the myths of implicitly gendered binary oppositions and the evidence of superiority and relegation within history – a Canonical Patriarchal system. A woman’s place should not be physically determined - systems of control, subordination and oppression have shaped our lives for centuries - how do we change this? What if Patriarchy is dismantled, what systems should be in place? What are our options? Do we participate in oppressive structures? Do we have a choice, or do we stand in opposition?
The effects of Neoliberalism and Capitalism on contemporary culture, our environment and ecology are irreversible – can we imagine a sustainable ecological future? The oppressive conceptual frameworks of Western philosophy and religion, the economics of capitalism and the ideology of Patriarchy converge – they are inextricably linked. Capitalism exploits, this exploitation is devastating and destructive of nature, resources, females and class systems, in its sole aim to create wealth.
Feminism actualises change – but how do we actualise this change? Where is our voice? Who advocates our politics - what are our politics? Our future will soon become a reality – what do you predict? What do you want? What are your limits?
The images are suspended between the past, present and future - they ‘harbour’ unease and an inability to present positive ‘future imaginaries and potential virtues’ (Brady & Collins 2013), where our relationship with the environment is concerned.
The work does not promote an ‘essentialist’ point of view, (unfortunately some will have already established this, however, they should know better)!