Description
WeaponiZe is the fourth adaptation in the ICONOCLAST series of body of print-works, which
began in 2016 during Wilde’s co-residency at the Women’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 80s where women were also
victimized/arrested if they were seen wearing the War Paint, We/us were questioning
why this unassuming piece of make-up is used as a “Weapon” by men to punish & de-humanize.
The double-ended lightning-bolt motif was first designed by Aida in 2013 and dubbed
“Bullet Bolt” as the ends consisted of the sharp nose of a bullet, and was used widely in
various artworks and outdoor collage installations. The inspiration for WeaponiZe comes
from a report of fierce protestors dubbed as “Macedonia’s Lipstick Protesters” in 2021.
Daily protests took place in January on the anniversary of Tunisia’s revolution in 2011 that
had sparked the Arab Spring Uprising. Graphic and violent images were published with
Women clashing face to face with riot police with one fist up in the air & clenching their
lipsticks on the other, either putting it on their lips or graffitiing riot shields.
Demonstrators also held up signs that read….
“POLICE EVERYWHERE, JUSTICE NOWHERE”
WeaponiZe is a call to arms….. Battle-Stations at the ready.
Please email info@aidaprints.com if you have any further queries regarding this piece of
work.
Thank you.
