body issue
This project explores feminist subjectivity in art through a deeply personal lens, emphasizing the powerful idea that "the personal is political." Rooted in feminist theory, BODY ISSUE delves into the notion of the body as a site where gender is both performed and imposed. It challenges traditional gender norms by examining how gendered expectations are ascribed at birth and continuously shape an individual’s experience and expression. Through a blog, zine, and curated events, the project highlights the works of female artists whose art emerges from personal and political experiences with the body, particularly the complexities of identity, autonomy, and social constraints. In line with feminist theorists like Judith Butler, who posits that gender is an ongoing performance shaped by societal expectations, BODY ISSUE questions how these dynamics influence not only women’s lived experiences but also their creative practices. The project showcases artists whose work is informed by "body politics"—the ways in which bodies are scrutinized, celebrated, or marginalized based on gendered perceptions. By foregrounding these issues, Yelena creates a space for nuanced stories and embodied art forms that speak to the diverse realities of being female in a world that often dictates one’s identity and value based on gendered assumptions. Ultimately, BODY ISSUE strives to provide insight into the unique narratives of women artists, shedding light on how they resist, transform, and express their identities within a patriarchal framework, making the personal experiences of gender into a form of powerful political expression.
