The power of feminist artivism to change gender norms

Feminist art has long been central to global feminist and social justice movements, blending creativity with resistance to challenge oppression and foster solidarity. Artivism — a fusion of art and activism — captures this synergy.

But what is artivism? The term artivism refers both to artists who engage in activism through their work (activist art) and activists who use art as a tool within their broader repertoire of actions (art activism). From the UK’s embroidered banners in early feminist waves, to Pakistan’s Aurat March posters and Chile’s dance-led protests, feminist artivism has amplified movements and nurtured collective imagination.

This ALIGN report explores the potential of feminist artivism to transform patriarchal gender norms. By examining visual and performance arts, it provides evidence of how artivism directly contests gender norms while also indirectly strengthening feminist movements. Through its ability to challenge, inspire, and unify, feminist artivism offers an unparalleled medium for social change.

Beyond challenging norms directly, feminist artivism supports gender norm change by fuelling movement building. This report demonstrates how artivism can motivate action, foster community, and reinforce the identity and cohesion of feminist and social justice movements.

Key messages: 

• Feminist artivism disrupts patriarchal ideas and nurtures alternative, gender-equitable norms through powerful visual and performative expressions.
• Unlike traditional advocacy, feminist artivism engages emotions and imaginations, sparking both individual reflection and collective action to transform societal norms.
• Feminist artivism powerfully conveys personal and collective experiences of oppression and injustice, creating space for deeper empathy and understanding.
• By presenting feminist theories and critiques of patriarchal norms in relatable, accessible, and visually engaging ways, feminist artivism broadens the reach of these ideas, engaging wider audiences and raising awareness.