Female Painters and The Booty Expectations

This is a sensitive one for many. Even "anti feminist" for some. What I am about to say will probably be deemed as sexist and biased and perhaps an opinion piece coated with envy and body shaming.

But, as a fellow female creative myself, let me explain to you my issue with those who use their body as a machine to drive attention to their very mediocre work.

"Good for them!" or "Their body and they can use it however they want!" I hear you say. And I get it. Just hear me out.

Female artists have fought long and hard to be taken seriously in a field that was once dominated by men. It's important to acknowledge the challenges they faced in the past and the obstacles they still face today. But now, we've got a bit of a problem with some female artists sexualising themselves and it's not doing them any favours. The recent trend is a step back for the industry and undermines their efforts to be seen as equals.

The use of sexualisation in art is nothing new, but it's important to understand the context and implications of this trend. When an artist uses their body to get noticed, it sends the message that their creativity and talent aren't enough to stand out on their own. It also reinforces the idea that a woman's worth is based on her looks rather than her abilities. This can be particularly damaging to young girls and women who are just starting out in the field and may feel like they need to fit a certain mould to succeed. I, myself, have been a victim of this exact self-doubt and needing to fit the hot-girl-mould.

The sexualisation of female artists can also have negative effects on the industry as a whole. By focusing on the artist rather than the art itself, it takes away from the creative expression and skill that goes into creating a piece. It also creates this standard of what's considered acceptable and desirable in the art world, which can be discouraging for female artists who don't fit that mould.

Social media doesn't help matters either, by creating a culture of validation-seeking and ego-driven behaviour. Artists may feel pressure to conform to certain expectations in order to gain likes, followers, and sponsorships. This kind of focus can be detrimental to the creative process and can make it seem like the art itself is secondary to the artist's personal brand.

In a nutshell, the sexualisation of female artists can be harmful to the industry as a whole. It can undermine the efforts of female artists to be taken seriously and can create a limiting and toxic environment for creative expression. We should be celebrating female artists for their skills and abilities, not just their appearance or willingness to sexualise themselves for attention.

Some interesting reads below:

"Why Sexualising Women Artists Is Never Okay" by Alice Sparkly Kat, The Tempest. Available at: https://thetempest.co/2017/08/08/arts-literature/why-sexualizing-women-artists-is-never-okay/

"Artists Can't Stop Sexualising Female Artists" by Pauline E. Martinez, The Hill. Available at: https://thehill.com/opinion/civil-rights/362967-artists-cant-stop-sexualizing-female-artists

"Sexualising Female Artists" by Cindy Mei, Medium. Available at: https://medium.com/@cindymeill/sexualizing-female-artists-811c7979a9f5

"The problem with women's bodies in the art world" by Siobhan Gallagher, Dazed Digital. Available at: https://www.dazeddigital.com/art-photography/article/40375/1/the-problem-with-women-s-bodies-in-the-art-world