Artist Statement
Choosing Syracuse University as a Public Relations and Spanish Dual Scholar, I anticipated the incredible resources available to help me further my passions and interests within the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communication and the College of Arts and Sciences, but did not know how the two academic avenues would intersect. Taking a leave of absence from school to be a student of life at all times (by approaching all aspects of the world as a learning opportunity) grew my capacity to learn what really sparks my curiosity. 1
Being back, this quality leads my education and my life, first and foremost — over anxiety, over the sense of achievement — as curiosity will ultimately lead me away from the former and toward the latter. Brought on by health reasons, this time away provided me with a spiritual resolution of what I am passionate about — not losing what I had, but adding to it. Women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and disability rights are of the most important advocacy work to me, which may grow and change again. 2, 3
Now, as an aspiring Social Worker, I view activism as an everyday personal expedition that takes the shape of the journey(wo)man herself. The Guerrilla Girls serve as an inspiration to me in this way with each piece they produce. inclusive feminism that fights for the rights of all individuals, despite outward identity. 4
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Education
While Albany, NY is home, I place a high value on experiencing that feeling elsewhere through art. Whether it be modesty, insecurity, lack of confidence, or all of the above, I have never considered myself an artist; however, art groups like The Guerrilla Girls, whose message stands above the work or artist themselves, emphasize the important impact of activism-infused art that has led me to this project today.
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Curiosity
The Guerrilla Girls do not shy away from expanding the issues they combat through various forms of art in the style of a peaceful protest. This course has caused me to be curious about so many aspects of feminism, and has allowed me to explore themes I’ve learned about, but never truly understood.
This group was probably one of the first examples of
intersectionality I noticed before understanding its true meaning. I have been a fan of their artwork, attitude and message for quite some time, and feel this course has given me an opportunity to expand that passion by providing the knowledge to back up the reasoning.
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Intersectionality
Intersectionality as a framework acknowledges that injustices often intersect with various aspects of our identities, such as race, ethnicity, class, and sexuality — then assesses the amalgamation of these with the systems in place around us. What results is an intersectional perspective that highlights the interactions of external systems with the internal workings of individuals within said systems.
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Moving Forward
With this newfound knowledge and reinvigorated passion, I have a strong desire to be taking strides towards acting as a Guerrilla Girl. Body-territory tells us that “no one lacks a body or a territory” — and I will be taking mine into account moving forward to utilize it for good (Gago, 86). As the Guerrilla Girls’ motto states: Do one thing. If it doesn’t work, do another. If it doesn’t, do another anyway. Keep chipping away!
Activism is ongoing, and with each reading in WGS 240, I painfully realized how cyclical and similar these issues have become — but work does not stop there — I will keep chipping away.
WGS 240: Contemporary Feminisms