Z I M B A B W E
F I N E A R T 124
FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION / CUTTING
By Merilyn Mushakwe | Art Curator
Art has long been recognised as a language capable of evoking emotions without the need for words. Each artistic medium operates within its own framework, allowing the construction of ideas that may be difficult or impossible to convey by other means. The combination of art and activism introduces a unique and innovative dimension to addressing challenging issues within communities. Artistic activism is a dynamic practice that combines the emotional impact of art with the strategic actions required to bring about societal change. Visual artists have played a significant role in raising awareness about Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C). FGM/C refers to "procedures that involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia, such as the clitoris and/or the labia, or other injury to the female genital
One artist making a difference is Andrea Carr, whose work spans a wide range of performing arts, focusing on global ecological and social themes. She is a member of "Artists Unite to End FGM," a network of socially conscious artists committed to ending FGM/C, child marriage, and all forms of violence against African women and girls. Carr's artwork titled "After Little Stitches" derives its name from "Little Stitches”, a collection of four short plays that delve into the personal stories behind FGM/C. In this work, Carr used text from Felicity's story, "Where Do I Start?" written by Raul Quiros Molina. Carr explains, "The text from Felicity's monologue has been transformed into a three- dimensional artwork. It is inscribed onto a child's dress using a pencil, aiming to be both direct and thought-provoking. This piece was created in response to the line, 'they gave us presents, nothing too special, these girly, puffy dresses because the dresses got spoilt with all the blood afterwards.' A new dress, for most little girls, is usually something cherished, a source of feeling pretty and playing princess. But the words tell a different story."
organs for non-medical reasons." While primarily
practiced in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, it also exists in Eastern Europe, Latin America, and among diaspora communities.
June 2023 | Collective Action Magazine
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