In love.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc6Xv7AZOUg

Brilliant!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMVzsJX0EbI&feature=related

E V Day video for gallery.

Niki de Saint Phalle.

Guerrilla Girls!

Some of the work I find speaks for itself and here is one of those occasions. It's nice to know we have feminists involved so strongly in the art world who are fighting to show the public the facts and figures many would rather stay hidden. As a society I believe we aren't questioning enough, simply believing what we are told.

I admire anyone who is willing to take the chance to do more than sit back and believe the lies we're fed.

Victoria Van Dyke.

Victoria van Dyke's history and emotional scars gives her the empathy and power she needs to give every piece of her work much context. After reading her background, I was actually suprised her work isn't more violent itself. She continually suggests mankind's attitude to one another is easily contrasted to cannibalism and is far from shy about sexuality.

Her work carries a strong message of the power of women.

John Currin.

John Currin's work is both humiliating and hilarious in showing the flaws in the average woman. There is something superb about his work that keeps you wanting to see more. Exploring themes such as pregnancy, plastic surgery and sexuality. Currin is a definite favourite for me.

Frida Kahlo.

Cindy Sherman.

Tamara de Lempicka.

Kiki Smith.

Feminist Metamorphosis.

I want to show the difference in women at their weakest to their strongest using Feminism as an aid. The accomplishment and symbolism of metamorphosis as well as the confidence to make certain statements alone should be praised.

Arman.

The opposite of feminism. Is this what women are to society? We deliver and raise children, continue to pursue careers as actively and ferociously as men and this is the viewpoint we're left in.

Women all over the world are treated as second class citizens in their own countries - the war for equality might be over for us but shouldn't be until ALL women are treated with the respect and gratitude they deserve.

The stories I have read have been harrowing - women setting themselves on fire in an attempt to end their lives to avoid shaming their families by leaving violent relationships, others having no connection to any family for breaking the tradition of arranged marriages.

Our fight for equal pay, maternity and equal rights is a huge success for women in this country amongst others - but we cannot afford to be resting on our successes and not fighting the issues still surrounding us everyday.

These people need help and support to be courageous enough to make their escape. We are not weak or helpless in any way and we don't need 'saving' but what every one of us needs is support.

Lorna Simpson.

Rippled by the Need to Control/Blind Individuality by Judy Chicago.

This piece from the 'Powerplay' series shows exactly the emotions of both victim and controller. The fear and shock will make visitors think and react to domestic situations.

It is important to me however that visitors realise, as I never, how ALL victims are as equal as each other. 40% of Domestic Violence cases are male - putting aside those who will not talk due to fear and humiliation. This has to end.

Women's Aid are a fantastic organisation who provide shelter and support for those coming out of violent relationships who help women find their feet. I only hope there are similar charities for men out there.

This is not a problem we can afford to ignore! Slavery and blatant racism are hopefully things of the past - Violence in relationships happens everyday and deserves recognition as much as any other cause.

Reason over Passion - Joyce Wieland.

This piece has huge meaning when in context with domestic violence, passion may mean a victim would stay and cope whereas reason would cause escape.

A recent article I read on Rihanna quoted her advice as "Don't react off of love, F love. Come out of the situation and look at it third person, then make your decision because love is so blind."

I believe this piece by Joyce Wieland signifies the same approach and gives clear advice to those in danger. People need to be aware they have more choices than to be stuck, they have the FREEDOM to make their escape.

Nan Goldin.

Mona Hatoum.

I found this artist online when researching feminism and instantly loved her work.

* The crib shows the aspect of children in a new light, any woman with children trapped in a violent relationship leaves them at risk too.

* Personally I love the representation of the case - there is chance to escape.

Anne Hathaway.

'Item I gyve unto my wife my second best bed ...'
(from Shakespeare's will)

The bed we loved in was a spinning world
of forests, castles, torchlight, clifftops, seas
where we would dive for pearls. My lover's words
were shooting stars which fell to earth as kisses
on these lips; my body now a softer rhyme
to his, now echo, assonance; his touch
a verb dancing in the centre of a noun.
Some nights, I dreamed he'd written me, the bed
a page beneath his writer's hands. Romance
and drama played by touch, by scent, by taste.
In the other bed, the best, our guests dozed on,
dribbling their prose. My living laughing love -
I hold him in the casket of my widow's head
as he held me upon that next best bed.



- Carol Ann Duffy.

Something Inside so Strong - Labi Siffre.

I love the idea of using a birdcage filled with quotes to represent the lack of freedom as well as the people/ things that can give you freedom as part of my End of Year Show :) I think it would be beautiful!

Further ideas include mixing the quotes in amidst roses to show growth beyond boundaries as well as a guestbook for feedback and as a keepsake.

Michael McCall 'Between You and I'

This piece represents the likes of Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks and in particular the quote by Miep Gies. The light in a dark room symbolises hope in a dark place. This is an aspect I knew the exhibition would need in comparison to the harsh realities that will face visitors.

Even a teenager can turn on a light in a dark room.” - Miep Gies.

Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed."

"She sat down in order that we might stand up."

Love After Love.

The time will come
when, with elation
you will greet yourself arriving
at your own door, in your own mirror
and each will smile at the other's welcome,

and say, sit here. Eat.
You will love again the stranger who was your self.
Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart
to itself, to the stranger who has loved you

all your life, whom you ignored
for another, who knows you by heart.
Take down the love letters from the bookshelf,

the photographs, the desperate notes,
peel your own image from the mirror.
Sit. Feast on your life.



- Derek Walcott.

'Glowing Brides' by E V Day.

E V Day's work is the type to capture your attention in an instant. My only problem is that it may overshadow smaller or surrounding works. It is definitely a piece worth consideration that fits the concept perfectly.

'My Bed' by Tracey Emin.

This piece again was a natural choice alongside 'Havisham' and 'Hanging Woman'. The room was building quickly.

'Hanging Woman' by Kiki Smith.

This piece goes so well alongside the 'Havisham' poem by Carol Ann Duffy that the room almost chose itself from there. Knowing Feminism was going to play a large part in my inspiration for the entire project - the destruction of a woman seemed an obvious choice, especially when contrasted with the confident women creating such outstanding art I have researched e.g. Kiki Smith, Tracey Emin, Georgia O'Keefe, Lilith Adler, Rachel Stone and many more.

HAVISHAM(1998)

Beloved sweetheart bastard. Not a day since then
I haven’t wished him dead. Prayed for it
so hard I’ve dark green pebbles for eyes,
ropes on the back of my hands I could strangle with.

Spinster. I stink and remember. Whole days
in bed cawing Nooooo at the wall; the dress
yellowing, trembling if I open the wardrobe;
the slewed mirror, full-length, her, myself, who did this

to me? Puce curses that are sounds not words.
Some nights better, the lost body over me,
my fluent tongue in its mouth in its ear
then down till I suddenly bite awake. Love’s

hate behind a white veil; a red balloon bursting
in my face. Bang. I stabbed at a wedding-cake.
Give me a male corpse for a long slow honeymoon.
Don’t think it’s only the heart that b-b-b-breaks.

- Carol Ann Duffy.

Above is a video link to the piece I want to place central in my musical inspiration room, lyrics are a big part of my sketchbooks so this will add fluency to the project. I believe that music is a muse for a lot of people and carries more influence than we give it credit for.

Surrounding the piece on each wall will be lyrics and headphones, so that visitors can actually interact with the concept. This is something I want to continue throughout the project to keep the people interested and involved.

John Mayer - Waiting on the World to Change.

I think this song is representative of our generation when it comes to issues such as slavery, trafficking and domestic violence. In my opinion, a lot of us are far too passive on the problems surrounding us - myself included.

The Spark that Lit the Flame.

I will be using this blog as a way to express my ideas and concepts on exhibition design as part of my Final Major Project in college. I am currently studying for my Foundation in Art and Design and wish to pursue a career in either curating, art journalism or possibly even teaching after University.

My inspiration for choosing the theme of 'Freedom' was the empathy I felt for people without it. We have been provided our whole lives with choices and opportunity that those before us had to fight for, but that isn't the same for everyone. What about the people who haven't been so lucky?