Celebrating International Women’s Day, the Auckland Art Gallery's newest exhibition, Guerrilla Girls: Reinventing the ‘F’ word—Feminism, is a must.
Punchy and satirical, this anonymous, feminist art collective has delivered bold visual language and humorous messages for the past thirty years. Challenging discrimination across the art world, politics and film and music industries, this exhibition follows their artistic practice from 1985 to 2016.
The collective began in New York in a time of highly charged protest and change. Their first poster highlighted discrimination against women and people of colour in the city’s art galleries by asking such questions as “Do women have to be naked to get into the Met Museum?” The answer: “Less than 5% of the artists in the Modern Art Sections are women, but 85% of the nudes are female.”
Since then, their posters, pamphlets, videos and books have infiltrated city streets and art galleries highlighting gender double standards. And, their work has moved beyond gender discrimination to include economic policies, environmental concerns, women’s reproductive rights, LGBTQI+ rights and war.
Auckland Art Gallery’s Head of Curatorial and Exhibitions, Sarah Farrar, says, “The Guerrilla Girls bravely—and publicly—call to account the people and institutions that perpetuate bias and discrimination. Their example of artistic activism is inspiring, humorous and, at times, sobering. This exhibition is a call to action.”
A timely and powerful exhibition, admission is free with gallery entry and is a must-see for locals and visitors alike.
The Deets:
What: Guerrilla Girls: Reinventing the ‘F’ word—Feminism
When: Friday 8 March to Sunday 13 October 2019
Where: Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki
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