Flowers IV (Celebration) is part of a larger series of artworks that fall under the Flowers Series. This project by British-Gabonese artist, Owanto focuses on Female Genital Mutilation / Cutting (FGM/C), protesting the practice and giving leeway for interrogation and discussion on a larger scale. In doing this, Owanto aims to shed light on the complicated and contentious issues underlying this age-old rite, which is performed in private initiation rituals around the world to mark the vital transition from childhood to womanhood by stifling sexual desire. Through this project Owanto emphasises the rights of women and girls over their own bodies and questions are raised regarding their lives and futures. The images that Owanto works with were found in an old “forgotten drawer” belonging to her family. The drawer contained various images of an initiation ceremony from the colonial era, in a place that was then known as Afrique Equatorial Française, which in the modern day comprises the countries of Chad, the Central African Republic, the Republic of the Congo, and Gabon. In each artwork from the Flowers Series, a photograph from this drawer is enlarged , sometimes reaching 2 x 3 meters in size. The sections of the photographs which reveal the mutilations and other sensitive content are enrobed with hand-sculpted, cold porcelain flowers.
Flowers IV (Celebration) was shown as part of a Solo Exhibition ”One Thousand Voices” at The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa, 06.02.19 - 21.06.19, Curated by Gcotyelwa Mashiqa and Sakhi Gcina. Image courtesy of the ZEITZ MOCAA
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Dec 2022 | Collective Action Magazine
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