Nomansland

Have you ever wondered what being a woman entails? This is Brigitte Watkinson's main question and driving force.

While thinking about the psycholinguistic manifestation of femininity and misogyny, Watkinson masterfully develops an artistic movement aimed to overcome binary and patriarchal categories. Basing her philosophy on feminist concepts elaborated by Donna J Haraway, Watkinson comes up with a new expression of human beings called "Dunkwonhami" that are to live in a new, utopian and equalitarian system called Cluechenthu.

Starting with a reflection on the popular, highly symbolic, testosterone-inflated toy ActionMan©, the artist proceeds to rethink gender norms and history itself. Anagrams, metaphors, methods and materials twist and turn like a Rubik's cube, offering and creating new narratives. Rather than cancelling, Watkinson opts to recycle and reuse, to transform and readapt.

Finally, she delivers a non-binary utopia where patriarchy makes room for equality and testosterone is replaced with something broader: the Dunkwonhami.

The exhibition will open on September 16th at the Chester Art Centre, 132 Northgate St, Chester CH1 2HT.

The artist will also lead three Meet-the-Artist sessions on Saturdays, 18th and 25th September as well as 2nd October.