Acts of Resistance

An urgent and very political exhibition alert:

Photography’s value is a powerful tool of protest. It is fast, can be free to distribute, accessible everywhere (and more with the use of smart phones) and the visual language of it reaches global audiences. ‘Acts of Resistance’ at the South London Gallery decolonises feminism and offer a more pluralistic idea of a female-led movement by a group of powerful female photographers. It reflects current and recent events across the globe using the camera to challenge and move beyond the traditional protest photography and I find it fascinating. The visual artistry, imagination and creativity are in play when the imagery per se of a protest is not there although the purpose of it remains.

It sets up the tone right upon entrance in both buildings, with Sethembile Msezane’s work “The Day Rhodes Fell”, with the removal of Cecil John Rhodes statue and with the raising body of a female-chapungu eagle plus the photographs of Hoda Afshar from Iran which are so well displayed on a double-sized printed installation creating beautiful perspectives. Body politics are present.

The rooms breath with such a topics and accompanying the work, like finding intimacy in a second floor room showcasing cases of abortion to a home set up to showcase photographs and letters from women in prison to the main gallery showcasing monumental work that is happening right now.

I was looking forward to seeing a show like this for a while and all my calls to the female universe came true.