PREVIEW: #Not Alone

Common ideas of how men and women “should” act influence the types of roles they are expected to fulfil Gender norms can be particularly harmful for women, as traditional female roles are commonly less valued. When male power is the norm, and stereotypes of masculinity involve an assumption that men should be in control and dominant, then men are more likely to use violence, including harassment and verbal abuse, to ‘punish’ women who step outside of their expected roles.

By Efi Michalarou
Photo: The Project Gallery Archive

During the Convid19 pandemic the crisis of values that governs Greek society, the lack of education as well as the silencing of violence in general, are major factors in the escalation of female homicide in recent years. Contemporary Greek artists, have donated artworks for “#Not Alone”,  a group exhibition of a charitable nature organized by ART HUB Athens and The Project Gallery. The purpose of the exhibition is to support all those in need, to raise awareness of artists, and to promote Art as an important means of social change, all the artists have donated the artworks that each will be sold for 100€. Also the Project Gallery offers 100 limited edition digital prints, that will be available at 50 €. Proceeds from the sale of the works will be used to support organizations against gender-based violence. Violence against women is rooted in women’s unequal status in society, and that status reflects the unbalanced distribution of social, political, and economic power among women and men in society. It is one of the most pervasive human rights violations of our time and a form of discrimination that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, psychological or economic harm or suffering to women. Violence against women undermines women’s dignity and integrity and imposes serious harms on families, communities and societies. In the EU, estimates suggest that 1 in 3 women (or 61 million out of 185 million) have experienced physical or sexual violence, or both, since the age of 15. The elimination of violence against women, but also violence in general, is primarily a matter of culture. This form of violence was tolerated, established informally and survived over time, despite significant societal developments, the strengthening of human rights and the expansion of protectionist policies due to stereotypes. That’s where we need to start. To break the stereotypes and overcome the taboos. This is not a matter of the state, but of our society. Gender equality is an integral part of modern societies, but we must strengthen it every day. Together we can convey the message of a society without violence, without discrimination and without fear.

Photo: Dimitris Lempesis, from the series “Landscapes of Greece”, 2012-2020, Print od dibont, 35 x 50 cm, © Dimitris Lempesis, Courtesy the artist and The Project Gallery

Info: The Project Gallery, 3 Normanou str, Monastiraki, Athens, Greece, Days & Hours: Fri (10/12) 17:00- 23:00, Sat-Sun (11-12/12) 12:00- 23:00, www.theprojectgallery.gr