Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Making Meaning - The Art of Carolyn Mazloomi - Post # 2


Forever Faithful,
27” x 44”, 2005. Cotton, reverse appliqué. acrylic paint, machine quilted

Artist Statement:

Female circumcision, the partial or total cutting away of the external female genitalia has been practiced for centuries in parts of Africa, generally as one element of a rite of passage preparing young girls for womanhood and marriage. Often performed without anesthetic under septic conditions by lay practitioners with little or no knowledge of human anatomy or medicine, female circumcision can cause death or permanent health problems as well as severe pain. Despite these grave risks, its practitioners look on it as an integral part of their cultural and ethnic identity, and some perceive it as a religious obligation. Opponents of female genital cutting, however, emphasize that the practice is detrimental to women's health and well-being. Some consider female circumcision a ritualized form of child abuse and violence against women, a violation of human rights. In total it is estimated that two million women a year are subject to genital mutilation.

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