Acts of Resistance: Photography, Feminisms and the Art of Protest

8 Mar - 9 Jun 2024
Past exhibition

Photography has long been associated with acts of resistance. It is used to document action, share ideas, inspire change, tell stories, gather evidence and fight against injustice.

This group exhibition at the SLG, organised in collaboration with the V&A, spans the Main Gallery and the Fire Station, and brings together works by international artists and collectives who are using the camera to challenge and move beyond traditional protest photography.

★★★★ – The Upcoming

This urgent and political exhibition explores feminism and activism from an international and contemporary perspective. Looking at different approaches to feminism from the past 10 years, the show highlights shared concerns including intersectionality, transnational solidarity, and the use of social media and digital technology as a tool for change.

Acts of Resistance will reflect on recent events from across the globe, such as anti-rape protests in Bangladesh responding to the rise in violence against women and girls in 2020; the US Supreme Court overturning of Roe vs Wade in 2022; as well as the ongoing protests against the regime of the Islamic Republic of Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody.

Artists include: Laia Abril, Hoda Afshar, Poulomi Basu, Nan Goldin, Guerrilla Girls, Sofia Karim, Mari Katayama, Teresa Margolles, Sethembile Msezane, Zanele Muholi, Wendy Red Star, Tabita Rezaire, Raphaela Rosella, Aida Silvestri, Sheida Soleimani, Hannah Starkey, Tourmaline and Sasha Wortzel, and Carmen Winant.

Acts of Resistance seeks to decolonise feminism and offer a more pluralistic idea of a female-led movement. It also shows photography’s value as a powerful tool of protest – fast and free to distribute, accessible anywhere, and able to reach a global audience no matter what language they speak.
– The Guardian

Artist Hoda Afshar has created a new limited edition artwork exclusively for the South London Gallery. Untitled 7 (From the In Turn series) was made in response to the feminist uprising that began in Iran in September 2022, following the death of 22-year-old Jina Amini. Amini had been arrested by Iran’s morality police for not wearing the hijab in a way that they considered appropriate. The photographs are a tribute and a testament to collective action and collective grief. The limited edition is a digital print, unframed and an edition of 25. All proceeds from your purchase directly support the South London Gallery’s programmes, keeping the gallery spaces accessible to all. Shop

This is a collaborative exhibition between the SLG and the Victoria and Albert Museum, (V&A) as part of the V&A Parasol Foundation Women in Photography Project.

Curated by Sarah Allen, Head of Programme, South London Gallery and Fiona Rogers, The V&A’s Parasol Foundation Curator of Women in Photography, with Lily Tonge, Curator, Exhibitions and Events, South London Gallery. Public Programme Curator: Lola Olufemi

Read our interview with two of the Guerrilla Girls co-founders about their work, activism and billboard at the SLG Fire Station. 

Access

• Large print guides are available
• Gallery 1 in the Fire Station has low lighting
• Films are subtitled or have transcripts available
• Please do not touch any artwork
• Seating, ear defenders, ear plugs, magnifying glasses and torches are available upon request
• Please contact mail@southlondongallery.org with any questions or additional access requirements.
• Content guidance: Artwork in this exhibition includes strong language, nudity and sexual images, references to drug use, self harm, sexual violence, femicide, female genital mutilation, abortion, gender and sexuality-based discrimination, incarceration, genocide and racism

Lead Exhibition Donor: The Bukhman Family Foundation
Exhibition Donors: Bagri Foundation, Action 4 Equality Scotland, Elizabeth Brooks, and the Exhibition Supporters’ Circle
Public Programme Funder: The Ampersand Foundation
The V&A Parasol Foundation Women in Photography Project is generously funded by Ms. Ruth Monicka Parasol and The Parasol Foundation Trust

Printing supported by: Beyond Print and Genesis Imaging