Women and Contemporary Art: Between Identity and Freedom in the Face of Oppression

Abstract

Abstract

The current research dealt with the study of (Women and Contemporary Art between Identity and Freedom in the Face of Oppression) and is divided into four chapters. The first chapter was devoted to explaining the methodological framework of the research, which was represented by the research problem that sheds light on how contemporary art contributes to empowering women to express their identity and their pursuit of freedom in light of the various forms of oppression. The first chapter also contained the aim of the research: to identify the role of contemporary art as a means through which women express their identity and aspirations for freedom, in light of the forms of social, cultural and political oppression they face. The research limits were limited to the works of contemporary Egyptian female artists from (2011-2025). The second chapter included two topics: the first topic dealt with (Women and Identity in Contemporary Art), while the second topic included: (Art as a Space for Freedom in the Face of Oppression). The third chapter included the research procedures. The researchers adopted the descriptive analytical approach in analyzing the research sample, which amounted to 3 plastic works by contemporary Egyptian female artists, with the help of the indicators that resulted from The theoretical framework is discussed. Chapter Four includes the most important findings: identity as a fragile entity vulnerable to collapse when freedom is confiscated, and oppression manifests itself through the obliteration of features and the fragmentation of the human form, reflecting the loss of the ability to express and adhere to oneself. The conclusions are: The three works used powerful visual symbols (the beard, the Nile, and the breaking of the bones) to depict an internal and external conflict between the self and the sources of authority.