I’m always interested to hear others’ responses to any work I make. On seeing my most recent piece of work, ‘Meat too’ (ii) an artist I know commented on how they would ‘never have recognised this work’ as mine. The word ‘aggressive’ was mentioned and I know what they meant; this second piece of work in the series is undoubtedly so. I’m glad it was picked up on because it’s precisely the feeling underlying the work, echoing not just the overwhelming feelings of anger felt by numerous women who associate themselves with the #metoo movement, but for many others, too.
Nevertheless, the comment about how different this piece was from other work I’ve made, intrigued me. I think ‘Meat too’ (ii) has a definite connection to other pieces – more explicit in this particular piece, perhaps, but it’s there – in ‘Sweet Nothings’ and ‘that’ dress – work that goes back to 2015. It reminds me of the consistent thread running throughout my work – my fascination with the ongoing objectification of women, essentially – the attempts to silence them, as well as the perpetual violence and harm which tragically, continues to be inflicted upon many.
As I said in my last post here, a lot of the work I make addresses the different ways in which women, through the male gaze and objectification, are often judged by how they look and how they behave. Miss World and other beauty pageants spring to mind – the ultimate in meat marketing. In the absence of any real significant change, my interest in the restrictions imposed on women continues – women living their lives under scrutiny, constantly reminded of the importance to look a ‘certain’ way, forced to ‘know their place’ and often unable to exist freely or be their true, authentic selves.
‘Meat too’ (ii), 2022 (as shown above) was included as part of the ‘All Under One Roof’ exhibition, curated by Luke Merryweather at the Art Hub studios in Deptford, London. The work of fourteen artists who live or work in Deptford was included in the show and continued throughout the first weekend of the Deptford X art festival, 2022.
