For my sisters, my mothers, my daughters (2023)

This painting named my unsanctioned art practice, Matriarkatet - The Matriarchy. I started work on this painting at the same time I had decided to start using my old journal pages for paste-ups, and at the same time I was thinking a lot about what expressions and messages in public space would help bring a society supporting the feminine into being. I needed a pseudonym, a moniker, and the concept of a matriarchy is something that has always had a presence in my life.

I grew up with strong female role-models, women in my family from my great-great-grandmothers has always held her own, and some of them well before the time it was common for a woman to be in charge. Sometimes when I tell people that I call my street work the matriarchy, they get a little quiet (“they” are always men by the way), before they act as if they are doing me a favour and warn me about the dangers of being too woke, believing that I am driven by a desire to replicate the patriarchy, assuming that I want women to oppress men. I always find that a bit funny, and sad, how so many outspoken male feminists when faced with having their patriarchal privilege challenged, acts as if it’s not, but in stead tries to cloak their emotional reactions as rationality. It reveals how difficult it is to let go of this system, and how scared people are, unable to even imagine that things could be different.

And that’s precisely why I chose the name. Not because I want women to rule over men. Not because I want to be the oppressor instead of the oppressed. But because I want all of us to be free. Men and women, and all genders. I don’t want to be like a man, meaning this cultural concept of what a man should be. I’m not sure most men want that either, to be honest. And I don’t want to try and fit in to whatever this idea of what a woman should be to be qualified as one either in the current state of the world.

I believe that we can create another way to be together.

For my sisters, my mothers, my daughters
2023
Acrylic paint on canvas
120 x 100 cm

36 000,-
(+ shipping costs)

12-24 month installment plan available, use contact form to make an inquiry.