Appropriation of the utilitarian and the commercial, for artistic purposes, is evident in the artist's shop. Probably the most famous of these is The Shop opened by Tracey Emin and Sarah Lucas in 1993.
Other examples of this genre include Lucy Sparrow's Knitted Corner Shop 2014 and Rosalie Schweiker's 2013 Sex Shop. My own contribution to this genre The Feminist Pound Shop is a natural extention of The Penis Emporium which references shopping, but functions purely as an exhibit. As with other artist's shops, The Feminist Pound Shop requires the viewer to complete the meaning of the work. This is a democratising feature of these interactive works, which move away from the convention of artist as creative genius, by placing viewer and artist on the same plain. The Feminist Pound Shop was conceived to challenge commercialism by offering |
'feminist tat', thus 'making feminism affordable for all'. It stocks feminist and non-binary badges, bookmarks, key rings, fridge magnets etc.
Bra Lambs
Biscuit Medals for services under fire in the home
Hair Bears
The Feminist Pound Shop has popped up at WOW Cambridge, Circular Cambridge Sustainability Festival, DAW Takeover Leyden Gallery and the Mill Road Winter Fair, where it was almost banned.
Find out what's been happening to the Feminist Pound Shop here;
www.facebook.com/unbanthefeministpoundshop/
www.facebook.com/unbanthefeministpoundshop/