Freya Willemoes-Wissing’s new art exhibition Highlights Gender Inequality in South Africa Through the Lens of “Love Unbound”

In an unapologetic strike against conventional norms, acclaimed artist Freya Willemoes-Wissing is set to launch Love Unbound – a fearless exhibition that confronts South Africa’s outdated marital structures and dares to advocate for polyandry. Launching at the AVA Gallery – Long Gallery from 10 October to 1 December 2024, Love Unbound is more than an art exhibit; it’s a manifesto challenging the oppressive status quo.

Freya, born to a Danish father and Brazilian mother in Rio de Janeiro, has journeyed through over 60 countries, absorbing the world’s myriad cultural tapestries. Her art is a powerful blend of these experiences, reflecting both her personal independence and a profound connection to the infinite. In all her work, a single thread persists – the idea that no one exists in isolation. The trees are bound to the soil, planets to the cosmos, and individuals to each other in a never-ending cycle of relationships. Her figures, though seemingly lonely, always belong to something greater, symbolizing both detachment and belonging – an exploration of life’s eternal connectedness.

At the heart of Love Unbound lies an explosive critique of South Africa’s legal recognition of polygyny (men with multiple wives) while polyandry (women with multiple husbands) remains unacknowledged. In South Africa, a glaring inequality persists in marital laws, allowing men to marry multiple women while women are restricted to a single husband. This disparity not only reflects deep-rooted patriarchal values but also limits women’s autonomy and freedom in choosing their partners. As “Love Unbound” boldly illustrates, this bias underscores the urgent need to challenge and transform societal norms surrounding love and marriage, advocating for a more inclusive recognition of diverse relationship structures.

Freya’s audacious artwork questions why women are denied the same freedom to love on their own terms, pushing back against patriarchal systems. Her work is a deeply personal examination of society’s constraints on women, shedding light on their roles as mothers, wives, and career-driven individuals roles that often come with predefined expectations.

Through provocative installations like Balancing Acts, Love Unbound lays bare the struggles and triumphs of polyandrous families, highlighting the strength, resilience, and humanity of those living outside the traditional structures. The exhibition’s opening night is poised to be nothing short of transformative, featuring a staged multi-participant wedding ceremony. This live performance is crafted to rattle audiences, encouraging them to confront their deeply ingrained beliefs about marriage, love, and identity.

Freya’s art doesn’t just challenge what we think we know – it forces us to confront what we’ve been conditioned to accept. Love Unbound is an urgent call to rethink love itself, to dismantle the societal rules that define it, and to give women the freedom to choose their own paths.

To learn more about Freya, check out her website at www.freya.co.za and don’t forget to follow her on Instagram.

EVENT DETAILS:

• Exhibition Title: Love Unbound
• Artist: Freya Willemoes-Wissing
• Venue: AVA Gallery – Long Gallery
• Address: 35 Church St, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town, 8000
• Exhibition Dates: 10 October to 1 December 2024,
• Opening Night Performance: October 10, 2024

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