Ayobola Kekere-ekun Nigerian, b. 1993
The Crown XIII, 2021
Paper, faux pearls and acrylic on canvas
76 x 61 cm
Copyright The Artist
There is a budding perspective in contemporary Nigeria that propounds that misogyny doesn’t exist anymore because it is often not as overt as it’s been historically; after all women (sometimes)...
There is a budding perspective in contemporary Nigeria that propounds that misogyny doesn’t exist anymore because it is often not as overt as it’s been historically; after all women (sometimes) have access to education, voting and property ownership now. The Crown argues that this is a dangerous perspective to entertain as women still face numerous forms of discrimination and abuse on the basis of their gender. The use of attractive and sensual, but ultimately flimsy and ephemeral materials to create a crown thus serves a dual purpose. It is an acknowledgement of the progress we’ve made as a society towards achieving gender equality. It’s also a reminder that we are yet to attain true equality. Yes, women have more access to power now, but far too often, it’s still a mere semblance of power; transient, conditional, unstable, and constantly threatened. The crowns become tangible markers of how Nigerian women negotiate the complexities and tensions that play out while navigating their worlds as women.