Introduction:

Art offers powerful opportunities to express our

common humanity, challenge assumptions, spark
conversation, connect diverse people, inspire wonder,
imagine new solutions, and promote action for positive
change.

As part of the LLCE final program, we studied the theme

of art and discussion of ideas. I'm going to use this
theme in this talk to answer the question: how women,
through art, have changed women's rights and asserted
themselves in society?

To answer this problem, we will study several different

works including the dystopian novel “The Handmaid’s
Tale” by Margaret Atwood, the poem “Still I rise” by
Maya Angelou, a very recent street artwork by Banksy
« Valentine’s Day mascara » and finally, an excerpt
from the series “How to get away with murder”.

All these works have specific aims and convey an

important message that must be underlined.

Conclusion:
We have seen through different types of art that we can
all fight for a right or a cause.

We have also learned that this struggle has been

waged for decades and that it will continue.

However, art in this context is used to convey messages

and make people aware of certain facts about the
world.

Art is a powerful and limitless tool that can change

things and we must continue to fight to defend our
values.
Thank you for your attention.
Development:
I- art: a means of expression

 art makes it possible to defend causes such as feminism

 what is feminism?
mvt that aims to end gender inequalities and sexism in society
struggle continues and is more important than ever, all over the world people
fighting for equality and place of women in society

-the handmaid's tale: great example to illustrate this struggle

futuristic dystopian novel by Canadian author Margaret Atwood published in
1985

fertile women are forced to conceive children in a country owned by religious

extremist men, these women were known as handmaids.

M-A denounces: the American way of life and imperialism

Women cannot vote, hold property or jobs, read, or
do anything else that might allow them to become independent.
They are reduced to their fertility

despite the mistreatment these women endure, they

fight to survive and change things. the main character Offred is strong,
intelligent, and perceptive, she always tries to extract information and help the
rebellion

I don't know if you're going to be able to see, but on the cover of this book, you
can see a man's face on the woman's silhouette, and I think it's very clever and
representative of the message that M A wanted to convey. (Women are shaped
and manipulated)

-still, I rise : other great example to illustrate the struggle

poem by the American civil rights activist and writer Maya Angelou.

One of Angelou's most acclaimed works, the poem was published in Angelou's
third poetry collection, And Still I Rise in 1978

what's striking is that the chorus is powerful, she constantly repeats

"still, I rise" which translates the long path of determination to fulfill her destiny
despite obstacles:
“Up from a past that’s rooted in pain
I rise
I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.”

She is determined, she mentions past events, when women were abused but
clearly explains that it is in the past and that she does not let it go anymore:
“Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise”
She shows in this poem that the gaze of others is worthless and that despite the
judgments, the bad advice, the fears, we must dare to realize our dreams

She may be a woman, but she proves that she will not let herself down and will
continue to create a place for herself in society and history.

In "Still I Rise," Maya Angelou comments on how women have been suppressed
based on the stereotypes but still have the courage to fight back. Her message
is full of hope and conveys the strength of this woman

A woman marked me, specifically her speech, she's just as determined as Maya
Angelou.

in the series "how to get away with murder", the famous speech by a criminal
defense attorney Annalise Keating denounces non-colorblind justice in America

His speech focuses on the problem of justice in America that does not reflect
equality, but my speech is not based on that subject even though it is very
important.

What I wanted to remember was the determination of this woman who dares
to speak up and express her opinion without being afraid to make things
happen.

Her speech is very touching and powerful.

as a black woman, she knows better than anyone that inequalities and
discrimination still exist

II-which leads to controversy

Negative
Art is a means for artists to express their opinion, but it leads to a lot of
controversy and reactions
- the book of Margaret Atwood received a lot of criticism, some people found it
too violent and disturbing
Texas schools banned the book for several reasons, including blasphemy,
overly sexual tones, anti-Christian, LGBTQ+ protagonists, and general moral
corruption.

This is not the first time a feminist artist received criticism for depicting images
of sexuality in her art.

Judy Chicago created the Test Plate for Virginia Woolf as part of her
development of The Dinner Party. That large installation piece is perhaps the
best-known artwork to come out of the feminist movement of the 1970

Woolf’s plate features a core of seed-like shapes surrounded by three-

dimensional petals that curl at the edges.

This floral imagery is meant to symbolize the fruitfulness of Woolf’s talents as a

writer. Hence, the curved petals may also be seen as pages of an open book.

a certain audience described the installation piece as “vulgar.”

Positive
Of course, art can create polemics, but it also leads to positive reactions. Art has
the power to touch many people and motivate us to fight for our convictions.

I personally love the artist Banksy and all his works because he is a committed
artist who does not hesitate to denounce the major problems of society

Street artist Banksy unveiled on Valentine’s Day this year, a work that
highlights the theme of domestic violence, painted on the wall of a building in
the seaside resort of Margate, in the south-east of England.

It depicts a housewife with a 1950’s or 1960’s look, disfigured by a black eye and
a broken tooth, while a man’s legs protrude from an old, real freezer placed
against the wall.

Battered wife gets rid of her violent husband by throwing him in a freezer, It's a
strong and powerful message.

This artwork encourage people to react and push them to defend these causes
as well. these artists open our eyes to the problems of our societies