In light of transnational struggles such as violence, discrimination, labour and reproductive freedom faced by women, queer and trans people across the globe, artists and collectives have responded by delving into the complex tapestry of feminist histories and interwoven narratives to establish different forms of solidarity.
Jessica Wan, curator and writer picks 6 exhibitions themed on resistance, global feminist movements and activism to see in celebration of International Women’s Day ….
Acts of Resistance: Photography, Feminisms and the Art of Protest at South London Gallery.
Photography has long been associated with acts of resistance. It is used to document action, share ideas, inspire change, tell stories, gather evidence and fight against injustice. This group exhibition at the SLG, organised in collaboration with the V&A, brings together works by international artists and collectives who are using the camera to challenge and move beyond traditional protest photography. Until 9th June 2024.
Transfeminisms at Mimosa House
Unfolding over five chapters throughout 2024 at Mimosa House, before touring to Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, USA, transfeminisms outlines strategies of resistance through propositions of collective action, care and radical imagination, in order to generate a more equitable future. The exhibition explores the lineage of feminist art practices by facilitating dialogue between emerging and more established artists, most of which are shown in the UK for the first time. The first chapter (8 March–20 April 2024) will feature works by Zainab Fasiki, Kyuri Jeon, Alex Martinis Roe, Fatima Mazmouz, Ada Pinkston, Bahia Shehab and Lorena Wolffer. Until 20th April 2024.
Unravel: The Power and Politics of Textiles in Art at Barbican.
Textiles cover and protect us, engage our senses, trigger our memories, represent our beliefs, hold our stories. In this major group exhibition, 50 international, intergenerational artists use textiles to communicate vital ideas about power, resistance and survival. From intimate hand-crafted pieces to monumental sculptural installations, these works offer narratives of violence, imperialism and exclusion alongside stories of resilience, love and hope. Until 26th May 2024.
WOMEN IN REVOLT! Art, Activism and the Women’s movement in the UK 1970–1990 at Tate Britain
The first of its kind, this exhibition is a wide-ranging exploration of feminist art by over 100 women artists working in the UK. It shines a spotlight on how networks of women used radical ideas and rebellious methods to make an invaluable contribution to British culture. Their art helped fuel the women’s liberation movement during a period of significant social, economic and political change.
Until 7th April 2024.
The Time of Our Lives at the Drawing Room.
The Time of Our Lives focuses on the pioneering drawing practices of women artists and their impact on feminist activism from the 1980s until today. The exhibition showcases the work of key artists such as Sutapa Biswas, Sonia Boyce, Margaret Harrison and Claudette Johnson, examining drawing’s versatility as a medium and the ways it has been used by women to raise consciousness around social and political issues, such as reproductive justice, sexism, racism and other forms of oppression. Until 21st April.
Barbara Kruger: Thinking of You. I Mean Me. I Mean You at Serpentine Gallery
Thinking of You. I Mean Me. I Mean You. at Serpentine South is American artist Barbara Kruger’s first solo institutional show in London in over twenty years. It features a unique selection of installations alongside moving image works and multiple soundscapes. The exhibition is the UK premiere of Untitled (No Comment) (2020). This immersive three-channel video installation explores contemporary modes of creating and consuming content online. In the work, Kruger combines text, audio clips, and a barrage of found images and memes, ranging from blurred-out selfies to animated photos of cats. Until 17th March 2024.
