Sculpture in thesis temple: Feminist perspectives in focus

Sculpture in thesis temple: Feminist perspectives in focus

Volksgarten, Wien, Österreich - In the thesis temple in the Vienna Volksgarten, a remarkable sculpture by Shannon Alonzo will be exhibited from May 16, 2025. With the title "Washerwoman", the work takes up central topics such as role models and collective memory. Alonzo, who was born in 1988, used beeswax for her sculpture, which comes from her homeland. This choice of material is not only aesthetic, but also has a symbolic meaning: the wax changes, turns and gets wrinkle -like cracks that stand for the invisibility of social structures.

The inspiration for "Washerwoman" found Alonzo in a nameless photo of a woman from Jamaica, which around 1890 from J.W. Cleary was recorded. During the emergence of the sculpture, she had talks about her origin and ancestors in the house of her grandmother in Trinidad. These personal reflections flow into the work, which has no head and thus symbolizes many women, who pursued similar activities.

context and curatorial perspective

The exhibition is subject to curator Hanin Hannouch and is part of the first edition of the WMW Contemporary format, which deals with topics such as neo-colonialism, global economy and identity. Claudia Banz, the new director of the format, emphasizes the importance of a feminist look at the post -colonial discourse. In this context, extensions to urban space and digital formats are also planned to further discuss the topic.

Alonzo's work and the accompanying topics fit into a greater historical context in which feminism has a significant influence on the development of art practice. From a historical point of view, artists such as Rosa Bonheur and Berthe Morisot protested against the traditional role of women in the 19th century. In the 1960s, artists such as Carolee Schnünemann and Judy Chicago questioned the underrepresentation of women in art.

feminism and contemporary art

The feminist art movement developed in the 21st century, with artists such as Tracey Emin and Cindy Sherman continue the struggle for the rights of women in art. Feminist art not only addresses sexuality and reproduction, but also home work that is often overlooked. These movements have contributed to promoting a greater variety and inclusion in the art world.

Despite this progress, the art world remains challenging because women are often still underrepresented. Feminist art theorists criticize the existing bias in art history and require a re -evaluation of the criteria for artistic excellence. In order to reduce gender stereotypes and create a fairer art world, continuous commitment is required.

The exhibition "Washerwoman" can be viewed daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with free admission until October 5, 2025. With its deep thematic relevance and its historical context, the sculpture of Shannon Alonzo offers an important contribution to the current discussion about role models and social structures in art.