Elfrida Grey, Hope in chaos, 2024
"Get promoted at work...Ashawo
Go for a night stroll alone....Ashawo
Be a single mom...Ashawo
Buy a car....Ashawo
Tell a trader in the market not to touch you..Ashawo
Me, Ashawo! You, Ashawo! Everybody, Ashawo"
The exhibition title "Ashawo," is a Nigerian slang used in reference to a sex worker / prostitute.
With patriarchy and misogyny deeply rooted in the Nigerian system, the word has transcended from a derogatory term to a full-blown prejudice against Nigerian women. The average Nigerian woman faces the harsh reality of getting attacked with this word almost anywhere and every day.
This group exhibition features works by young female creatives from Lagos, Nigeria. Through the mediums of fashion, documentary, and interdisciplinary visual and performing arts, these women speak on this stigma faced by the Nigerian woman : their coping mechanisms, responses, and a general overview of the situation in order to create an in-depth awareness of this issue; while exploring potential solutions for extirpating this prejudice.
Changing the narrative cannot happen from the side of the victims only. The exhibition intends to challenge Nigerian men, who are the main perpetrators of this predicament, to join hands in assuring support and involvement in creating a safe, comfortable, and free environment for the Nigerian woman to thrive.
Go for a night stroll alone....Ashawo
Be a single mom...Ashawo
Buy a car....Ashawo
Tell a trader in the market not to touch you..Ashawo
Me, Ashawo! You, Ashawo! Everybody, Ashawo"
The exhibition title "Ashawo," is a Nigerian slang used in reference to a sex worker / prostitute.
With patriarchy and misogyny deeply rooted in the Nigerian system, the word has transcended from a derogatory term to a full-blown prejudice against Nigerian women. The average Nigerian woman faces the harsh reality of getting attacked with this word almost anywhere and every day.
This group exhibition features works by young female creatives from Lagos, Nigeria. Through the mediums of fashion, documentary, and interdisciplinary visual and performing arts, these women speak on this stigma faced by the Nigerian woman : their coping mechanisms, responses, and a general overview of the situation in order to create an in-depth awareness of this issue; while exploring potential solutions for extirpating this prejudice.
Changing the narrative cannot happen from the side of the victims only. The exhibition intends to challenge Nigerian men, who are the main perpetrators of this predicament, to join hands in assuring support and involvement in creating a safe, comfortable, and free environment for the Nigerian woman to thrive.
David Amaechina also known as SNIPES is a multifaceted performing artist, choreographer and community organizer based in Lagos, Nigeria. His work revolves around situational dynamism in an African context; which includes, but not limited to performances which are mined recreation from memory, contemporary folklore and appropriated global culture as experienced by him.
