For many women, especially women in countries where their basic human rights are disappearing, evaporating in thin air with each passing day, this year’s International Women’s History Month has been a reminder of the unfortunate, terrifying times we’re living in. Many of us have tried to sound the alarm for decades now, but, sadly, to no avail.
And, also, it would have been nice for more women to stick together, but, alas, that again hasn’t been the case, not so far.
And yet, at least some activist artists have tried to do something, to use our work as a tool, as a universal language through which to talk about issues that others do not want to talk about, such as women losing their human rights, and at an alarming rate.
I’m no stranger to creating activist art or protest art. And so, to speak to today’s women’s rights crisis, I chose:
- black-and-white photography, to enhance the reality of these dire times, of the women’s rights story, if you will
- portraits of women, mostly self-portraits, actually
- image titles inspired by other crises I’ve covered over the years; I hope that choosing those titles highlights, at least in part, the fact that our women’s rights crisis is not isolated, but rather part of a multitude of crises that some of us are forced to face
But is there room for hope? Honestly, I do not know. I do hope, though, that the fight for our rights is not over, and that it continues beyond the month of March.
With all that in mind, for one last post this International Women’s Month, here’s a black-and-white self-portrait captured during the COVID quarantine, with a title inspired by a song from the Broadway musical, RENT.
As always, thanks for stopping by!
Alina Oswald 