Should Feminists Wear Lipstick?
“Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick.” Gwyneth Paltrow, American Actress b.1972
Lipstick Feminism, a response to the radicalised feminist movements of earlier decades, aims to unite the warring identities of ‘feminine’ and ‘feminist‘. But is it possible to embrace the accepted social signifiers of femininity – from wearing make-up to pole-dancing and stripping - while remaining true to the principles of Feminism?
And how does the lipstick fit into all this? The artist will use the object of the lipstick to get girls and women to think and talk about feminism, gender, sexuality, their bodies and self-image. The work will consist of a series of photographic portraits of women and bodies of text created by the participants, as each woman will be invited to write around 50 words in response to the working title.
The exhibition will also confront the viewer with a challenge to respond to the issues raised. A single portrait will consist of a mirror featuring a single lipstick kiss print; thus inviting the viewer to question their own sense of gender and sexual identity and to become part of the collection. A chair will be placed in front of the piece to offer the viewer some intimacy within the open space while they challenge their understanding of women. The viewer will be invited to write and submit 50 words in response to the working title.
Carnival of Feminist Cultural Activism
Test Shot: Kate
