In What Ways Can Feminism be Explored Through Street Art?

Street art is an open and collaborative practice which has risen in popularity over the last few years, with the help of the rise in popularity of social media applications such as Instagram, Pinterest and Flikr which primarily focus on sharing imagery. The practice relies on an urban environment and has the potential to reach a wide audience. During my research into the street arts scene, I have found everyone, including the male artists I have met and collaborated with, to be helpful, willing to share tips as well as being supportive, mindful and generally inclusive in their approach. It is said that male street artists outnumber their female counterparts 10:1 and its interesting to note that most of the female street artists I have met and interviewed have waited for invitation or “legal” wall space to be allocated to them or they tend to create their own events in order to ensure safe spaces to practice their art. I have found there is a lot to be learned surrounding the issue of what permission we grant ourselves as female artists from this process. Particularly when drawing parallels between women’s success and representation within the art-world and other industries. Using spray-paint, stencil and paste up enabled me to work in spaces that feel hyper masculine and my aim was to redress the balance through a “woman’s touch.” I wanted to create interpretations and interventions which introduced something different in terms of look and style so they would feel unique to the public and be noticed and interacted with as a result.