Iconoclast III- Maleficent

Description

ICONOCLAST III {Gold/various} are the third adaptation in the ICONOCLASTS series of body of print-works which began in 2016 during Wilde’s co-residency at the Woman’s Art Library Goldsmiths entitled Empowered Printworks.

Wilde originally created a set of prints depicting lipsticks where we/us wrote the words ‘Weapon Of Choice’ in lipstick under the singular iconic image.

The work was a direct response to the Taliban’s ban on lipstick amongst other items deemed against “The Sharia” in 1996 – also with memories of growing up in Iran in the 80’s where women were also victimised/arrested if they were seen wearing the War Paint, we/us was questioning why is this unassuming piece of make-up used as a “Weapon” by men to punish & de-humanise.

Further back in history and delving deeper into the past, it transpires that the common ‘Red Lipstick’ holds much significance in symbolising POWER & STRENGTH especially when it comes into the political sphere.

Service women during World War 2 given Red lipstick to boost moral as they continued to battle away. In Auschwitz whilst the detainees were being liberated from the concentration camp, it is commonly reported that the Red Cross gave the freed women Red lipstick perhaps as a symbol of Freedom, Empowerment & the first token to their journey into some normality of life on the outside.