Here to Empower is a blog project created to support the movement of women in a society that is stuck. My purpose is to promote artistic work in order to empower, strengthen, and unite women throughout the globe. The artists that are included in this project are the Guerrilla Girls, Pussy Riot, Yoko Ono, and Barbara Krugger. Historical figures were also included in the project in order to support the idea that this movement and the fight for women's rights is not a new concept. The blog includes projects, poems, music, and other websites for the viewers to look up information. Videos, posters, pictures, and galleries are also included on the blog for the viewers to observe and comprehend the work and effort these women have put into their beliefs.
Throughout history women have always been viewed as weaker, less intelligent, or incapable of holding higher positions. We were denied the right to an education, to vote, and to make personal decisions about our bodies. In 2010, research supports that women only earned 81 percent of what their male partners were making (
ILO 2017). In the art world these numbers were even worse, which inspired the Guerilla Girls to expose the bias and prejudice museums and galleries silently expressed toward women artist. Their movement began in 1985 with just a few posters stating statistics about female artists that were spread through out downtown New York City. They hid their identities behind gorilla masks and soon began to attract the attention of thousands of viewers on behalf of their creativity. Not only did they begin to evolve into the voice of women who were denied rights for so long, they also became a brand.
The Guerilla Girls are admired and honored by many artists and women for their brave, audacious, and courageous acts. Not only did they express their passion through art, they began hosting events, accepting interviews, selling merchandise, and even published their own book. Their movement signifies strength, independence, and power to women who realize that gender inequality is a social issue that has not been resolved. American artist Barbara Krugger is a feminist whos work depicts social and political contemporary issues of our time such as consumerism, culture, and women's' rights. Her aggressive, humorous, and direct captions captivate the viewers attention. Kruger uses short and powerful statements, images, and magazines to portray her passion about oppression, satire, and hypocrisy.
Yoko Ono is infamously known as the woman who caused the break up between the band
The Beatles. Being the wife of John Lennon allowed her to collaborate with him on projects based on peace, equality, and feminism. Ono always had a daring, tempting, and extroverted personality which depicted her as a very strong and fierce woman. Her poetry, music, and art has always challenged women and society to be aware of the obvious modern problems. Serious social issues such as women being secluded, viewed as minorities, and discriminated against in the work force are often put aside. Through interviews, protests, records, and monuments Yoko Ono continues to push forward her movement to promote peace and empower women.
Pussy Riot are a famous Russian group of female artists who are willing to risk their freedom for what they believe in. The strong, fearless, and outspoken group has presented their punk music in front of many viewers and although they may not be incredibly experienced it is their words that make an impact. The group is made of approximately 11 women and is led by Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, who is most commonly known as Nadia. Due to one of their most famous illegal performance at a cathedral called "
A Punk Prayer" they were arrested in 2012 for approximately two painful years. Russian President Vladimir Puttin is one of the group's motivation for disruption, being in power has caused high political and social tension within the country. Pussy Riot does not only fight for the rights of Russia, they have also released a song and video "
Make America Great Again" portraying their rage for President Donald Trump's racist comments that were released during his campaign. Their movement dedicated to gender inequality, LGBTQ rights, and the right to abortions amongst other issues, has created a significant impact to those who fear fighting for what they believe in.
Using a collective of artists, music, posters, and outside sources this blog was established in order to empower women and other viewers who do not have a voice or fear to speak up. Gender inequality, feminism, and stereotypical issues are touched upon throughout the blog with the support of female artists who have made a difference through their hard work and dedication. After the blog is posted and presented it will continue to be edited in order to be open to the ideas and concepts of other female artists and the public. Although I did not have a chance to host an event on behalf of the year coming to an end, next semester there will be a fundraiser hosted in honor of the Guerrilla Girls in which all of the money will be donated to their movement. I will also continue to attempt to plan events in order to promote these female artists and the difficulties women face within the artistic field amongst other social topics.
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| Yoko Ono |
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| Guerrilla Girls |
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| Pussy Riot |
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| Barbara Kruger |
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