The Art of Feminism
Created by Katie Stine Contents created by various artists
The Art of Feminism By Katie Stine
I am a student at Carnegie Vanguard High School, and this year I am participating in a yearlong research project called the Texas Performance Standards Project. This project allows students to pick any topic of their choice to spend an entire semester researching. I chose to research the effect that beauty has on women in the social and economic aspects of their lives, which falls under the umbrella topic of feminism. In the spring semester, students participating in TPSP make a product relating to their umbrella topic. The goal of the product is to answer a question, solve a problem, or provide new information in the chosen topic area. I chose to make a book of artwork about feminism with the hopes that it will cause more people to become more aware of feminism and really think about what it is. I am hoping that this artwork will guide people’s thinking to show them what feminism really is.
I AM THE KING “The work is an assertion of control over an uncontrollable situation. As an individual, and particularly as a female, I am often met with situations in which I expected to feel or am powerless. The painting is an attempt to proclaim a certain strength, regardless of difficulty.� -Liza Anderson
THE MORE DELICATE SEX by Alicia Selvera Silence need not whisper its dying words into our ears listen and you will hear the fears of the more delicate sex. Our graceful stance is distorted by the irony of your beliefs in equal rights but not equal pay. This definition of capitalism mirrors the long lost quest for imperialism. It deprives a nation of half its population. Only to fulfill hearts to careless to even recognize whom they are depriving. History has proven and continues to prove that we have never been ide creatures. We marched from Paris to Versailles because one two many times
we saw three sets of eyes glaring back at us but only had enough food left to feed a single child. We marched from Paris to Versailles because one two many times we saw three sets of eyes glaring back at us but only had enough food left to feed a single child. We built weapons of mass destruction during a countless amount of wars for a group of men who wouldn’t even give us a vote. We have never been afraid of a little blood, sweat, or tears. And if it takes forcefully breaking down this glass wall between us and you. Then we will be very happy to see the blood, sweat, but never again the tears. To be seen and not heard will never be a phrase we tell our little girls. They are beautiful, because they have the strength to refuse to be called the more delicate sex.
“I do a lot of self-portraits to show self-love, and how I won’t submit to the idea that women shouldn’t be so self-interested. The one on the right portrays feminism also because it is me breaking up with my date friend through text, which is about inclusion (which is what feminism is about- including all women (even queer women))”
-Hannah Taurins
The Half Empty House by Anonymous Daddy, Why is mommy crying all the time? My darling daughter, I hope you will be able to understand why I had to leave like this
She is getting Quackers all snotty. when you are old enough. As it happens, this was not entirely my fault And daddy, she says she is not buying me that American girl anymore!!! that our company oversold its stock, but I’m sure this is going over your head. She promised daddy!
Besides, it’s not like I was the one who fired your mother when she got pregnant But mostly I am just sad that mommy is sad. with you.
I think she misses you. I miss you.
Sweetheart, you have to understand that I love you both
I think we are moving house.
so, so much. I regret that I became the person I swore I never would be,
Mommy won’t show me the new house. She says the lord will be scary.
the type of man who walks out when it gets rough.
And he wants favors? Tell your mom that if she is having a hard time finding a job
Does that mean we need to clean his kitchen or walk his dog?
I might have a nanny position for her. I don’t know what else she could do as she didn’t finish her degree
Mommy says we should go see grandma so I think I have to go now. Love you!
in order to marry me. I apologize also for this page of excuses. I just want you to know that I know I need to be better.
All my love, Dad PS what is a “doosh bag”
GIRLS WILL BE GIRLS “Young girls are seen as such fragile, awkward, and lost creatures... but June and I chose to emphasize those elements which make girls seem that way, and presented them from more positive aspects. It was important for us to show that things that appear to make us weak, actually make us stronger in retrospect." -Anastasia Vayner Series created by June Ngo and Anastasia Vayner
GIRLS WILL BE GIRLS
GIRLS WILL BE GIRLS
GIRLS WILL BE GIRLS
GIRLS WILL BE GIRLS
GIRLS WILL BE GIRLS
GIRLS WILL BE GIRLS
Why I Need Feminism by Caitlin Berg When I was in 7th grade, I made my Bat Mitzvah speech about why my Torah Portion was wrong because it glorified rape and misogyny. As a 7th grader, I didn’t know what feminism was exactly, but I did know from the first time I looked at my Torah Portion that it portrayed women as lesser, and that that was wrong. So, in front of the entirety of Temple Emanu El, I spoke of how the Torah was incorrect and of the position women were in in the world. After that, I was introduced to the word “feminist,” and have been an avid feminist since then. In 2015, girls and women around the world are still forced into marriages, not allowed to go to school, not receiving equitable pay, not getting jobs, getting sexually harassed, and, not being treated as equitable to men. I’ve been told to not wear an outfit because I look like a “slut,” (a term which should not even exist, as it portrays those who identify as a female as an object of sexual possession and nothing else; the same goes for words such as “whore” and “hoe”), because my skirt only goes two inches past my butt, my heels are 3 inches high, and my shirt shows cleavage, when I’m embracing my body and gaining confidence through it. However, because of these comments and opinions on girls and their bodies, I’ve learned that I can’t embrace my body; I must cover up because it is not lady like. And, as I know, if I don’t cover up, I will get sexually harassed. In Arab countries, girls are not allowed to go to school and are forced into marriages as teenagers. Girls are not thought of as anything other than objects for male possession: something with no brain or need to educate. These girls live their lives abused, mistreated, and harmed by men, and believing they are lesser. However, feminism stretches even further than this. There are multiple sections of feminism. Intersectional feminism encompasses anyone and everyone who identify as a woman, meaning that anyone of any race, gender, ethnicity, ability, or sexuality is equitable in the world. This is what we must focus on: we must make everyone equitable, not just white women and men, not just cisgender women, not just those with vaginas: anyone who identifies as a woman.
ONE AND THE SAME "My self portraits relate to feminism because they embrace the multiple parts of me as a woman and show how each individual piece is important and strong by itself but even stronger together." -Aline Granados
ONE AND THE SAME
Pride and love of self
expertise in control of the body via dance
ONE AND THE SAME
strong roots & pride of nationality and culture
light as bright as the sun
ONE AND THE SAME
optimistic
performer; emotionally exploitable
ONE AND THE SAME
free as the wind
calm during the storm; reliable
ONE AND THE SAME
Academic ace
heartbreaker
ONE AND THE SAME
Controllably headstrong
genderless
ONE AND THE SAME
passionate; lover of all
Symbol of modern beauty
ONE AND THE SAME
Confidence in body
Well rested; easy sleeper
Contributors (In order of appearance): Liza Anderson Alicia Selvera Hannah Taurins Anastsia Vayner June Ngo Caitlin Berg Aline Granados