As a local artist, I often find myself being approached for work with a focus on being “the female local artist.” And, if you’re a mother too, well, that makes your story even more appealing. The narrative of being a mother, especially one who’s had multiple children, seems to be a key selling point. Yet, despite all the emphasis on inclusivity, true inclusivity in the art world still feels like a distant goal. Curators and marketers often highlight these labels—“female artist,” “mother”—but the larger conversation about inclusivity still feels incomplete.
Recently, I received an email about a 2025 Mother's Day campaign. The subject line read, "Art Collab Mothers Day," and the body of the message expressed how much they admired my story and work. They wanted to feature me as a centerpiece for something special in their store. However, the offer was the same as what I was offered a decade ago—R15,000 with no usage fee. I can’t decide if they are unaware that this offer feels like an insult or if they are simply testing the waters. Either way, I’m frustrated.
Clients love my story because, in some ways, it’s seen as unique. But to me, it’s not unique at all. My story is often highlighted on labels for all to see, but I’ve been surprised in the past to find that I am often the only woman of colour in these shows. And let's be real, I look white. At first, I was shocked. But now I am not. This exclusion is sadly common, and it's been happening for centuries.
In many areas, feminism continues to center on the experiences of privileged, gender-normative white women, even with ongoing efforts to make it more inclusive. This narrow lens of feminism is something I see often in the art world, and it’s something that needs to change. We need to move beyond simply accommodating female artists—we need to consider the broader spectrum of experiences, especially those of Black women, who face oppression both as women and as people of colour.
While some spaces are beginning to get it right, I still feel that Cape Town, in particular, is falling short. After attending several important shows last year, it became clear to me that minority artists continue to be excluded from these spaces. Many of the smaller galleries here still fail to properly represent the diversity of voices that make up our community. The curation in these galleries often feels incomplete, reinforcing the very issues of discrimination we should be working to address. Feminism in these spaces feels urgent—there is so much more work to be done.
This brings me back to a question: What is feminism really about? It’s about raising awareness of the ways in which oppression affects people’s lives. And to be truly impactful, feminism must be as inclusive as possible. The movement needs to include the voices of all women, especially those from marginalised groups, and ensure that their stories are heard and valued.
“to not understand neocolonialism is to not fully live in the present.”
― Bell Hooks, Feminism Is for Everybody: Passionate Politics
Image: Return to Skin 2019 by Amy Ayanda Lester