Video picks: bell hooks and Laverne Cox talk Feminism
Fine art tutor Ruby invites you into the world of bell hooks , an American social activist, feminist and author.
Her artworks are normally concept (ideas) driven. They are examples of socially engaged art- i.e. she often asks her audience participate in her work to raise important questions about how we live our lives and what it means to be human. Bruguera focuses particularly on examining political power structures and how they impact society’s more vulnerable groups.
Tania Bruguera - Surplus value | The tanks
Explore Tania'a full body of work on taniabruguera.com
In another piece Bruguera made for the 10th Havana Biennial (Cuba) called ‘Tatlin’s Whisper #6’, the artist constructed a raised podium in a central courtyard, handed out disposable cameras and invited members of the audience to step up to the podium and exercise one minute of free speech. This was an incredibly powerful action in a country that has repressed free speech for over fifty years.
Most importantly, Tania Bruguera makes work that aims to bring attention to people’s experiences, voices and stories that are otherwise unheard, which is another reason for why the work is described as ‘socially engaged’. She works closely with people and thinks about the importance of the location- its political history and the politics of its people.
Fine art tutor Ruby invites you into the world of bell hooks , an American social activist, feminist and author.
Graphic design tutor Anoushka introduces you some artists whose identity informs the way they work creatively.
Interested in zines? Artist Megan picks out some emerging practitioners who use this medium to communicate.