Juliana Notari (*1975) is a multidisciplinary Brazilian artist whose work spans a wide range of media including performance, sculpture, photography, video and drawing. Exploring themes of trauma, desire, fear, and fantasy, her work addresses social inequalities and environmental concerns from a feminist, decolonial perspective.
In 2020, her sculpture “Diva” hit international headlines. Made of concrete and resin, the striking 33-metre-long piece lies embedded in a grassy hill on the Usina Santa Terezinha in Brazil, a site severely impacted by colonialism and the sugar industry. A gigantic earthly vulva, “Diva” is an outcry against the history of violence that has shaped this place, like so many other places in the world.
“I use art to engage in dialogue on gender issues from a feminine perspective…and question the relationship between nature and culture in our phallocentric and anthropocentric Western society” the artist states.
Visual Impact:
“Diva” is a powerful comment on gender oppression, postcolonial and environmental issues. Its large-scale placement and striking red colour contrasts sharply with the succulent green of the hillside, making it a notable visual statement that sparks important discussions.
The artist’s Facebook post introducing “Diva” has received over 25,000 comments – both praise and a significant amount of harassment. The piece has proved particularly provocative for supporters of ex-President Jair Bolsonaro – a right-wing populist known for his derogatory remarks on feminism, queer activism and plans to ban gender and LGBTQIA+ issues from schools.
Notari’s prominent vulva sculpture is therefore also a decidedly political statement against the attitudes of Bolsonaro and his supporters, successfully demonstrating how art can challenge social norms and foster meaningful dialogue.
Text by Luka Ahrens
References
The Art of Protest: Political Art and Activism (Gestalten, 2021), 194, 1–7
https://www.facebook.com/juliana.notari/posts/pfbid03XQEaCCvVP1rkyR
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https://www.monopol-magazin.de/juliana-notari-viva-la-vulva?slide=0
https://www.juliananotari.com/en/diva-intervention/
https://www.monopol-magazin.de/juliana-notari-viva-la-vulva
“Diva”
Brazil, 2020, ©Juliana Notari
“Diva”
Brazil, 2020, ©Juliana Notari
“Diva”
Brazil, 2020, ©Juliana Notari
“Diva”
Brazil, 2020, ©Juliana Notari
“Diva”
Brazil, 2020, ©Juliana Notari
“Diva”
Brazil, 2020, ©Juliana Notari