Through history, the white heteronormative male has been a marker of precedent in how society frames perceptions of bodies, opportunity, privilege and power. In modern-day society, feminist revolution has started to shift this precedent. However despite intersectionality* amplifying in recognition as central to feminism, white, able-bodies still come out on top. It is these voices and these struggles that still attract the most attention, and minority truths continue to fight to gain visibility and recognition. From the suffragettes and Sojourner Truth’s ‘Ain’t I a Woman’ powerful speech; to the Stonewall Riots, Disability Rights Movement in the U.S, and the #blacklivesmatter movement; those ‘othered’ in mainstream discourse are still fighting for a seat at the table.
The intersectionalities of oppressions – disability, race, gender, sexuality that place individuals at multiple disadvantage are exacerbated further in times of crisis. Covid-19 has highlighted this. Bodies marginalised under patriarchal standards are suffering during this global pandemic and for their rights to be adequately met, the differences between race, ability, sexuality and gender, at best, must be duly considered as part of society, not outside of it. We hope to reflect some of these stories within the scope of this exhibition, and remove the label of ‘invisibility’ that has surrounded them.