Art on Gender Inequality

"I Scream" by Luba Lukova

Female artist Luba Lukova's triptych artwork is simple in design but daring in how it addresses the human condition and allows audience to visualize social commentary. "A picture is worth a thousand words" and so much more because it transcends language and culture. It allows the viewer to act and identify with what is being viewed and challenges them to address their emotions. I think an underlying goal is for a person to see something and be moved enough to respond verbally or by action.

Ask yourself:

• What do you see in the above image?

• How does it make you feel?

• Why do you feel that way?

• Will you help change the circumstances addressed in this image?

My Answers:

What do you see in the above image?

Professor Luba Lukova illustrates a man reflecting a woman both eating ice scream except the woman's face is covered and this scene rely is captioned "I SCREAM." The primary focus highlighted by the pine is that woman cannot really enjoyed the simplest pleasures of life like men do right before their faces. This artwork in simplicity situates gender in the quality and provides a visual interpretation of inequalities in an eastern society.

How does it make you feel?

I feel deeply saddened for the woman and slightly agitated with male.

Why do you feel that way?

I feel saddened because the woman did not do anything to deserve this treatment. She has no power over herself, how she can present herself in society and is not truly free. Man just has his way and is set in social norms so he enjoys his ice cream with not as much as a grimace that his counterpart can not in the same way. This is a reflection of how gender inequality must be bestowed as a problem for men to men if change is to happen.

Will you help change the circumstances addressed in this image?

Discrepancies in the workplace, unfair treatment, double standards, and suppressing expression are all things that I want to change. As a female I must strand up for myself every chance I get to not let the belittlement from my counterpart keep me down. I already challenge the inequalities I face and will continue to do so on a gradually increasing scale.