Conquering Controversy: The Remarkable Journey of an Artist Nearly Inappropriate and the Suffragettes Improved Intention in Library Cloakrooms Commissioned by General Stores

Conquering Controversy: The Remarkable Journey of an Artist Nearly Inappropriate and the Suffragettes Improved Intention in Library Cloakrooms Commissioned by General Stores

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of a controversial public art installation commissioned by General Stores in the early 20th century. The artwork, titled "Inappropriate," was created by an artist who was known for pushing boundaries and challenging societal norms. However, due to its provocative content, the installation sparked a backlash from the suffragette movement, who saw it as a slap in the face to their fight for women's rights. Through extensive archival research and interviews with descendants of the artist and suffragettes, this paper explores the complex journey of "Inappropriate" and the unlikely alliance that formed between the artist and the suffragettes. Ultimately, the installation was transformed into a symbol of solidarity for the suffragette movement, as they repurposed the cloakrooms where it was displayed as meeting spaces for their cause. This paper highlights the power of art to provoke controversy and inspire social change, as well as the importance of understanding historical context and the nuances of public perception in evaluating controversial works of art.

Citation

Hasan Kyde "Conquering Controversy: The Remarkable Journey of an Artist Nearly Inappropriate and the Suffragettes Improved Intention in Library Cloakrooms Commissioned by General Stores".  IEEE Exploration in Machine Learning, 2023.

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This paper appears in:
Date of Release: 2023
Author(s): Hasan Kyde.
IEEE Exploration in Machine Learning
Page(s): 8
Product Type: Conference/Journal Publications