Sti can fight in defense of one’s rights even through one’s hair. To prove it is Laetitia Ky, Ivorian activist artist, who creates hair sculptures, symbol of social denunciation and claim of female identity. Muscular arms, faces with raised fists, the black continent, female breasts and bellies: these are just some of the works of art that the 27-year-old creates by weaving her thick afro hair with metal threadshangers, wax or hair extensions.
The origin of the artistic idea in its roots
«The idea was born by chance, after seeing a photo album of African women before colonization. These were ancient images, in black and white, with very elaborate hairstyles. So, intrigued, I started experimenting on myself to have fun and stop hiding under wigs »so she Ky she remembers the origin of a pastime that helped her reconnect with its roots and, very soon, it became an artistic expression recognized all over the world.
The fight against prejudices
After the first photos published on social networks, she started receiving messages from many African women thanking her for breaking the Afro hair taboo. So she decided to transform her hair into an artistic tool to convey messages imbued with social and feminist meaning.
«First of all I want to show the world the beauty of black women who should be more valued and represented, but above all I use the symbolism of the body to fight against prejudices” He says.
Rights intertwined in hair sculptures
With her hair, in fact, she realizes symbolic images against patriarchy, genital mutilation, obstetric violence. It promotes women’s rights, clears taboos on the menstrual cycle and abortion, celebrates body positivity.
Obtaining the recognition of these rights, for her, was not easy at all: «Being born a girl in the Ivory Coast represents a disadvantage from an early age. My parents had designated another future for me – she says – at the age of 16 I graduated in Business Administration, even if I wasn’t fully convinced of this course of study. I felt I was creative, but art wasn’t considered a job. So much so that, when I had the courage to drop everything to take the artistic path, my dad didn’t talk to me for 2 years».
The success of Laetitia Ky
But it is thanks to this original artistic expression that Laetitia Ky has managed to establish herself, to the point of starting collaborations with fashion brands of the caliber of Marc Jacobs And Giuseppe Zanotti.
He exhibits in prestigious galleries and, currently, as well as being busy as the film’s lead actress “Disco Boy” Of James Abbruzzeseawarded the Silver Bear at the Berlinale, is on display with its “hair sculptures” in Naples, as part of the exhibition “The gaze of Medusa”, curated by Alessandro Romanini and produced by Andrea Aragosa for Black Tarantella.
The exhibition “The gaze of Medusa” in Naples
In the spaces of Made in Cloister Foundation, in dialogue with the Italian artist Assunta Saulle, until May 5, it is possible to focus on a cycle of 12 photographs and 4 paintings in which, by combining the expressive and identity dynamics of body art with the documentary value of the images, her body becomes a support and an instrument of identity claim.
Feminist activism
«When an idea comes to me, I take a piece of paper and a pen, I start drawing what I intend to create with my hair. As soon as I feel ready, I sit in front of the mirror and start weaving messages into my hairstyles. Sometimes 10 minutes is enough, other times it takes up to 4 hours. The shapes and symbols change, but the intent is always the same: to defend freedom of expression» she glosses, regardless of the inevitable criticisms which, even if they never exceed the appreciations, confirm the need to take the field to ensure women’s rights, even through hair.
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