OWNING THE CRADLE
Female Art Exhibition

In light of the conversation on embracing equity, the women artists through the work selected for this exhibition staked out a position on maintaining close connection with the fountainhead. In “Owning the Cradle”, nativeness is central in the representation and identity which the artists voiced out in the hallowed space for embodying equity.

What did they feel, in common with so many others concerning the need of owning the cradle, given a sense of despair about aligning it with the conversation on diversity, equity and inclusion? The artworks were not only made in response to the contemporary debate on representation and identity of the African woman but also in light of the broader debate on embracing equity.​ 

There is a sense of advocacy in carving out space for equity and inclusion. While quite a number of efforts have been made around the world in terms of equality, much remains to be done concerning equity and plausibly a strong foundation for it has to be established at the cradle. 

The art exhibition “Owning the Cradle” not only celebrates the tales of the African women artists whose work features in this show, but also honours women in various communities who devote their lives and talent to continuously work towards challenging the structures which have threatened the significance of the cradle and the attainment of equity. 

The artwork furnishes the mind of viewers with the attributes geared towards interesting them in why “Owning the Cradle” matters. They are anchored into some key aspects which the artists express and the manner in which their vision is in alignment with the conversation they joined.
Jude Kateete

March, 2023.