gorillagirlsChelseaGonzalez
I became a feminist a few years ago when one of my high school history teachers proclaimed that the United States will not see a woman President within my lifetime because "the people of the US aren't ready for that type of thing yet." Enraged, I blurted out "I think it's YOU who is not ready for a woman to be president." I am in no way a person advocating for world domination by women...or proclaiming women to be superior to men (that would be hypocritical considering I am fighting against the whole notion of superiority). But honestly, why can't everyone be treated equally? Many people will say, "the women's lib movement was decades ago...why can't people just move on?" I say that female oppression is still a threat. I will stop "bitching" the day women are given equal pay for equal work; when substantially more than 3% of artwork displayed in galleries and museums were created by female artists; and yes, when a women candidate is given a fair and equal running for president. I think that women have a duty to stand up for themselves and demand equality.
The Guerrilla Girls lecture was very much a motivator. I guess I was not aware of the struggle for women in the art world. I have always felt that people in art have been more progressive in their thinking, and I would have hoped this would have translated over into social standings as well. I thought it was interesting that the group was formed when a bunch of female artists, pissed off in their male-dominated field joined together to spread a common message. In the process however, they also were able to somewhat achieve their original goals of having their artwork showcased. Their flyers and portraits started to spread and get recognized. Their creative and innovative flyers became artwork in themselves. It was inspirational to see that persistance and strong beliefs can lead you to your goals.
It was important, especially being a female artist, that I attended this lecture. I, like the Guerrilla Girls, feel that I have this overwhelming anger over issues of equality..and this goes for equality on all levels (gender, racial, sexual, religious, etc.) In my personal beliefs, I feel that the overemphasis on a specific religion, typically male-dominated, can be to blame for many equality misconceptions and overall fighting, but that I'll save for a different paper.
The Guerrilla Girls showcased the many female stereotypes through their collection of images, artwork, and other miscellaneous paraphernalia. If a woman is outspoken she is labeled a bitch; if she is seemingly manly and overly dominant she is considered a ballbuster; and if she is blonde and ditzy she is considered a bimbo. Girls that play dumb becuase they think its cute are just as much to blame as the males who label them as a bimbo. Why do we, as a society, have to label people, whoever they may be? Why can't we just be ourselves without feeling as if we are being judged by everyone? By wearing the gorilla masks, these women were trying to make the point clear that we need to start listening to people becuase of their ideas, not because of how they look or how we percieve them to be. Although cliche, if we start focusing on what a person has to offer from the inside, rather than judging on the outside, we would get alot more accomplished.
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- Studio Writing: Gorilla Girls last edited on 9 April 2007 at 10:46 am by 148.61.85.8