Feminine power: the divine to the demonic, currently on at the British Museum in London, gives a historical overview of the range of female deities, goddesses and spirits of reverence.
From 5,000 year old female statues to Kiki Smith’s Lilith the strength of feminine power is explored across time and culture.
Women are the givers of life, one of the most powerful things a human can do, so have been feared and venerated accordingly. Perhaps it’s that very fear that has driven patriarchy, leading to some of the dreadful inequalities in our societies today.
This is however not an exhibition of analysis, rather one of historical discovery, so below are some of my highlights.
Goddesses crossed cultures: with the coming to Christianity to China, Guanyin, the Buddhist bodhisattva of compassion often portrayed holding a child, was seen to have similar qualities to the Virgin Mary. This statuette was exported to Europe and listed in cargo as Sancta Maria (Holy Mary).
The Aztecs likened childbirth to war as it was a dangerous, often fatal event.
Women who died in childbirth were called Cihuateteo (divine women), deified for their bravery and sacrifice. Feared as well as revered, they returned to earth five days in the year to steal children from the living.
If you ever caught sight of one you would be driven raving mad.
Ancient Greece had Athena, shown on this vase appearing fully grown and armed from her father Zeus’s head.
In India Mahadevi, Durga, Kali are all battling the demonic forces representing chaos, fear, arrogance and ignorance. This figure of Kali is probably one of the most fearsome, her necklace of severed heads symbolising her power to destroy the ego.
China Supay, wife of the god of death, comes from Bolivia. This mask is worn by females dancers during La Diablada (Dance of the Devils)
The most recent item and the final exhibit is by Kenyan artist Wangechi Mutu .
