"Where Do I Start?" is based on testimonies from individuals dealing with and raising awareness of FGM/C, including a survivor who courageously shares her own experience. The strategy of speaking with boldness and having that story told artistically is one used by British-Gabonese artist Owanto, in her series titled “One Thousand Voices”. Produced in collaboration with Katya Berger, a documentary filmmaker and contemporary art producer, "One Thousand Voices" is an immersive sound installation that amplifies a collection of audio testimonies from survivors of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) gathered from around the world.
Some of these voices have been transformed into a neon series titled "Fields of Light," which takes the painful testimonies of FGM/C survivors and turns them into illuminated messages of hope. The spoken words become written words that shine brightly, guiding away from darkness. intertwining to create a cohesive narrative. "One Thousand Voices" has been recorded in 24 languages by women from 36 countries, amounting to a duration of 2 hours and 30 minutes. The artwork projects stories of survival and resilience in various languages, with some women testifying in secret while others speak openly, ultimately
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone FGM/C. It is predominantly performed on young girls between infancy and the age of 15, and the treatment of its health complications is estimated to cost health systems $1.4 billion annually. The work of art activists supports the advocacy of FGM/C survivors, taking their experiences beyond the power of oral storytelling. By presenting artistic forms that touch a different aspect of
one's psyche, it transcends the limitations of spoken language.
Bringing this conversation into cultural institutions and creative spaces, such as galleries, museums, fairs, concerts, theatres, community centres, creative writing, and academic discourse, allows survivors, artists, scholars, curators, intellectuals, and ordinary individuals to share a common space. This approach brings visibility and promotes reform at all levels of society.
Words by Bintou from the Gambia. “But only the birds in the air” (Image Courtesy of Owanto Studio - 2020) 178 x 40 cm Neon light
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June 2023 | Collective Action Magazine
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