25th November is the start of 16 days of activism against gender-based violence and the start of chapter 2 of our MALEVOLENCE initiative. Each day, we’ll be featuring a book by a woman artist and encouraging readers to ask their local library to add these books to their collections.
If you are affected by any of these issues, there are organisations that can help. Details here.
Art as a Weapon Against Male Violence
For decades, women artists have used their work to expose and challenge male violence. From the second-wave feminist movement to today, art has been a powerful tool for raising awareness and bringing about change.
Donna Ferrato, internationally acclaimed photojournalist and activist known for her groundbreaking documentation of the hidden world of domestic violence, powerfully states, “I became a soldier in the war on women.” And Berit Fischer (2021) argues, we need to shift our focus from art as a passive “consciousness-raising tool” to a more active and engaged form of “cultural and curatorial production”.
Collectively, we can do this by using art as a catalyst for social change.
Libraries: A Cornerstone of Change
Libraries play a crucial role in shaping public discourse and fostering critical thinking. By stocking books that address gender-based violence, libraries can empower individuals to understand the issue, challenge harmful norms and become agents of change.
Art should be accessible to all, not confined to elite spaces. By bringing more art into libraries, we can reach a wider audience and spark conversations that matter.
Small Actions, Big Impact
We invite you to join us in a united effort to make a difference. Over the next 16 days, we will be recommending a thought-provoking book each day and (on Instagram) highlighting the organisations working tirelessly to support women who have been affected.
We urge you to join us in a united effort to make a difference:
- by contacting your local library with a request to add these books to their collections
- spread the word by following the heroinic organisations tackling male violence
Together, we can:
- Support women artists who are bravely sharing their stories.
- Challenge harmful stereotypes by promoting works that challenge traditional gender roles and expectations.
- Inspire action by encouraging readers to get involved through volunteering, donating or advocating for policy change.
