Radical Feminism in the 1970s: Artistic qualities of Alexis Hunter

Radical Feminism in the 1970s: Artistic qualities of Alexis Hunter
 
the krakow post
 
In the early 1970s, Alexis Hunter moved from New Zealand to London ? a hotbed of the feminist movement at the time.  She joined the first groups of the Feminist Art Movement and started producing radical political art. Since then, she has become a well-known artist and has had numerous international solo exhibitions. Currently, she is showing in Los Angeles where she participates in an enormous exposition called, ?WACK! Art and the Feminist Revolution.? Her work hangs next to celebrated female artists Mary Kelly, Judy Chicago, Mimi Schapiro, Evy Hesse and Nancy Spiro.
A retrospective exhibition of her work from the 1970s will be on display at Bunkier Sztuki, cafe and museum of contemporary art, from June 12-August 19.
The works, ?Sexual Rapport Series,? ?Tattoo Series? and ?Object Series,? will be on exhibit.
These works have an attitude that emphasizes feminine subjectivity. Hunter was tired of the reality that all visual arts were made within the male canon and perspective. She felt that women were objectified in the arts and mass media depicted their bodies solely as objects of beauty for men to enjoy. As a result, Hunter decided to approach her work from the opposite perspective. 
In ?Sexual Rapport Series,? ?Tattoo Series? and ?Object Series,? Hunter objectifies men, placing parts of their bodies together with object attributes (i.e. shoes, motorcycles, tattoos, etc.).
A number of works will also be exhibited with references to female sexuality.
?The Model?s Revenge? is a series composed of several pieces telling stories of pain, violence, identifying with aggressors, the demystification of taboos, and the masculinisation of society. Other pieces addressing women?s sexuality are ?Approach to Fear? and a moving piece entitled, ?Dialogue with a Rapist.? 
The exhibition was  prepared as interest in radical art is still progressing. Feminist issues are being discussed more frequently in the media today, which is why Hunter?s work from the 1970s still seems current.
On June 13, at 18:30, guests will have an opportunity to meet Hunter themselves.
Bunkier Sztuki will host a discussion with the artist entitled, ?Beyond God the Father: Dynamic Reconstruction of Radical Feminism.? The debate will be in English.
 
?Alexis Hunter:
Radical Feminism in the 1970s?
(From June 12 at 18:00-August 19)
Gallery of Contemporary Art
Bukier Sztuki, pl. Szczepanski 3a

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *