Wear What You Want

In my artwork “Wear What You Want”, the female protagonist is adorned in a garment inscribed with derogatory terms specifically designed to shame women - terms like "slut", "whore", and "bitch", to name a few. These vicious labels are the ones so casually slapped onto women in social media and, indeed, broader society.

The white t-shirt depicted is as basic as they come, a common purchase. My intention is to illustrate that irrespective of what a woman wears during times of humiliation, it does not warrant an invitation for society to objectify, to leer, and to express themselves in the most vulgar of terms.

Whether a woman's image is cast onto the social media stage, forced to endure slurs of promiscuity, or whether a woman falls victim to sexual assault, their attire is often nothing more than ordinary. Perhaps just a tank top, a tube top, a skirt, or shorts.

My parents, like many, often cautioned me against skirts too short or necklines too low. Even a night out with friends, donned in an outfit of my choosing, could invite critiques that my attire rendered me akin to a "prostitute", inciting male fantasies and potentially attracting danger. This sentiment isn't confined to parental concern; it permeates society. The blame, all too often, is ascribed to the victim, with their choice of attire held up as the catalyst for the horrifying event.

But what is the reality here? Are the ones at fault truly the girls who strive for autonomy, who adorn themselves in garments of their choosing, seeking liberation for their bodies?

No. The blame lies squarely with those who pen these atrocious judgements - individuals steeped in prejudice and malice towards women, ignorant, vulgar, and utterly oblivious to their own stench of character.