What Am I Fighting For?

For the past couple of weeks I've been putting together my critical studies essay contexualising my art practice, and I'm still working on it now, but along the way I've been able to work through a lot of unclarified thoughts that have led me to want to write this post and get it off my chest.


I had a recent tutorial that went really well, we discussed my exploration of the experience of sex through painting, and the position of being a woman painting naked women, but something my tutor said has really stuck with me.

'You're so close, you're onto something that could set you up for life, making work and reinventing ways to respond to your subject matter.'

The thought that what I'm making and the ideas I'm having are the beginning of a lifetime's study is exhilarating. Of course, I'm not confined to the themes I am exploring, and the work will change and develop with age and personal life experiences, but it made me reflect on the potential power I hold to 'say' something, to inspire and raise questions through the paintings and other works I make.

That then led me to want to clarify what it is I want to 'say' at this time in my life, what do I want to express? So here are some of them;

I want to create discussion; we live in modern times, equality shouldn't even need to be discussed, it should be a given. 
Gender equality, acceptance that gender can no longer just be confined to 'Male' and 'Female', it's a whole spectrum and unique to each individual.
While I'm on the topic, gender stereotypes seriously need to be made extinct. End of discussion.

Sexuality is an incredibly diverse topic, and one that excites me. Exploring and embracing your personal sexuality is an empowering life experience, and creates empowered people. I especially want the ladies to be inspired on this point. Come on girls! Masturbation and toys are NOT dirty or wrong! Your bodies are glorious and amazing, fuck what the Patriarchy think we should be, let's show them who we really are by embracing our individuality, supporting each other, and educating the fuckwits stuck in the past. 

'Feminism' itself is an incredibly broad issue and poses many problems with women arguing amongst each other about what it means to be a 'Feminist' today. I personally don't really have an issue with the word, but I do think there is a big generational stigma attached to it - for example, my parents immediately call me out and accuse me of ranting and 'man-hating' if I question a distasteful joke or turn of phrase. A heavy association with the 70's/80's/early 90's waves of feminism. 

I have no idea what the solution is. Only time will tell how the future of Feminism will be shaped, but from the strong presence of inspired and empowered teens blogging and speaking out online, I think it will be exciting and eye-opening.

Obviously, I don't expect all of these views and opinions to be raised when people look at my artwork, that's a pretty high, delusional expectation to have. But all of these things are filtered through me and spur on my creativity.

It will be interesting to look back at this post in 5 or 10 years time and compare it to whatever I will be fighting for then!