Feminist Imagery: Part II

By: Brook B.
In continuation of the idea I had to monthly put up a fun, visual post on Phem dealing with iconic feminist imagery and the history behind it, here is part two!



Your Body Is A Battleground by Barbara Kruger

Here is some background on Kruger's piece from Katherine Calak's wonderful analysis:

Barbara Kruger explores feminist theory through artistic expression. Her continued use of black and white imagery combined with red blocks of text derive from her background in art and design and her previous careers designing and editing magazines such as Mademoiselle and House and Garden. Kruger voices her concerns over feminist issues through bold images and text and in consequence, she is able to gain the viewer’s attention in a manner that differs from that of many other artists. Kruger’s untitled work known as Your Body is a Battleground, shown in her book Love for Sale, depicts a bold black and white photograph with its meaning emphasized through red blocks filled with white text. The image is of a women’s face split symmetrically along the vertical axis. There is a play of positive and negative space between the two halves of the image, highlighting ideas of “positive versus negative, white versus black, good versus bad” (Kruger, 1990, p. 87). The figure’s characteristics such as her hair and makeup display that of a 1950s style. Her gaze is directed straight ahead, making eye contact with the viewer. The design was executed in support of the 1989 march on Washington to support the rights of women with an emphasis on abortion (the right to choose) and birth control rights. Kruger stresses her own commitment to these issues by stamping the words “Your Body is a Battleground” down the center of the page. To read more of her analysis, download her PDF here.




Stirrups and Stories:
Reclaiming the OB/GYN experience through Imagery and Words. Behind thier mission:
We want to encourage providers ... midwives, doulas, MDs, RNs, OBs, etc ... to participate and talk about what it's like to be a human being practicing in this very unique and important area. We do not want the providers to give us clinical perspectives, but instead the human perspective behind the clinician's. We think that breaking down the patient/provider dichotomy by encouraging human-to-human communication will improve health outcomes for everyone.

Pretty nifty, if I do say so. Facebook fan page can be found here. On that note, I'd really like to know how many women go to male OB/GYN's and how many go to women. I hear a lot of women discuss discomfort on going to men OB's, and others praising their male OB's. I think it's interesting the statements made in the pictures that draw attention to the 'judgmental' factor that some women feel from their OB's in regards to their weight, their pubic hair (or lack of) and other factors.







Feminist Artistry
Just wanted to draw your attention to this lovely young feminist artist named Lindsay Keating-Moore who created this awesome dress. She hand cuts stenciled portraits of famous feminists and prints them on dresses, t-shirts and buttons. She even has a zine of feminist poetry for sale. Check our her Etsy store HERE. A true way for us feminists to wear our hearts on our sleeves...and our midsections. :) She has Audre Lorde, Gloria Steinem, Alice Paul, and Susan B. Anthony, just to name a few.

Mission statement and policy on being eco-friendly from her website: My goal is to spread the word of feminism! To get women excited about feminism! Women have been majorly left out of HIStory, mainly because that's what it is, HIS story. So I wanted to revive Herstory. I think it's important to recognize, acknowledge and admire women who have fought for women's rights and who have broken through gender barriers. And clothing is a great way to spread the message of feminism. I am sick of seeing male revolutionaries revered and plastered on t-shirts, but not hearing much about female revolutionaries! All of the clothing I get is recycled. That being said, I usually do not have duplicates. Most of my clothing is in BRAND NEW CONDITION, it is overstock dropped off at the thrift store by big corporations. No need to buy new clothes when there are so many used ones out there that need a home! I purchase all my items from thrift stores. Being environmentally friendly and sweatshop free is important to me! The ink that I use is water-based and non-toxic! I print my business cards and hanging tags on the back of cereal boxes. With the help of my friends who save their cereal boxes for me :)

Now some images just for fun:

Part Two: Who Said That?!

"Bitch is the new black."

"At my graduation, I thought we had to marry what we wished to become. Now we are becoming the men we once would have wished to marry."

"What's the difference between a pit bull and a hockey mom? Lipstick."

"Feminism ain't about equality, it's about reprieve."

"It is easier to live through someone else than to become complete yourself."

" The thing women have yet to learn is nobody gives you power. You just take it."

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Answers to part one of "Who Said That?!"

"Nobody will ever win the Battle of the Sexes. There's just too much fraternizing with the enemy." A: Henry Kissinger

"I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a door mat or a prostitute." A: Rebecca West


"I see my body as an instrument, rather than an ornament." A: Alanis Morissette


"[Feminism is] a socialist, anti-family, political movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism and become lesbians." A: Pat Robertson


"Feminism is the radical concept that women are people." A: This has been credited to Cheris Kramarae & Paula Treichler


"Women belong in the House...and the Senate." A: Unknown but very witty genius!


"Men are taught to apologize for the weaknesses, women for their strengths." A: Lois Wyse

....Until Next Time, Viva!