Petals of activism: Elucidating notions of feminism in the works of Helen Nzete

Abstract

The ongoing patriarchal hegemony in African societies and other parts of the world has fostered diverse feminist reactions both verbally and visually. This paper considers the works of Helen Nzete, a contemporary female artist who employs her mixed-media creations in confronting the patriarchal strongholds of her society, Nigeria. Helen’s second solo exhibition titled “V is for … ” tells a story of the female existence without rights in African societies. Thus, she aligns her thoughts and agitations with several other female artists such as Zanele Muholi, and the Guerrilla Girls in protesting against the socio-political imbalance that exists in their societies. To properly understand the form, content and context of Helen’s V is for … , this paper employs the visual semiotic theory as a tool to deconstruct the symbolic paradigms of the artist’s works. The paper establishes that Helen’s works were created as a form of feminist activism against unfair structures in society which promote the commodification, objectification and dehumanization of the female. Her works (re)present the woman as a figure of beauty, influence and power.

Keywords

• art and feminism
• Helen Nzete
• art for activism
• feminist art and the vulva
• contemporary female artists