An evocative oil painting that uses the ironic symbolism of still life to make a provocative statement about the desire to end patriarchal dominance. Set against a backdrop reminiscent of 1500’s art, the composition features a banana flanked by two avocados. The banana, traditionally symbolic of male power, is depicted as inert and powerless, subverting its usual connotations of virility and dominance.
The ironic and satirical nature of the artwork is further emphasized by the choice of medium: oil on canvas, a technique symbolic of an era dominated by male-led traditions. During such times, a still banana would have never been the subject of an oil painting. By using this classical medium to depict a powerless banana, the artist critiques patriarchal structures while highlighting the absurdity of their continued reverence. This deliberate arrangement within a classical setting underscores the timelessness of the struggle against patriarchal power, urging a re-examination of societal norms and advocating for a future where such oppressive structures are rendered obsolete. 2015
