La serigrafía como herramienta de resistencia visual contra el machismo: un análisis de su impacto en el arte contemporáneo

Abstract

The proposed project, “Screen printing as a tool of visual resistance against machismo: an analysis of its impact on contemporary art”, is situated within a very relevant line of research that uses art as a means of social resistance, particularly focused on machismo, a problem still present in many societies. The history of screen printing, as mentioned, has its roots in China, where printing techniques on fabrics using silk mesh were used. This historical fact highlights the antiquity and evolution of a technique that, over the centuries, has achieved notable relevance in contemporary art. The transition from a technique oriented towards decoration and pattern repetition to becoming an artistic means of social expression is fascinating, especially when examining the transformations it has experienced thanks to its use in resistance movements, such as pop art and feminist art. The use of screen printing in contemporary art has been key, particularly because it allows an image or design to be reproduced in large quantities, making it accessible and visible to a wider audience. This massification of the image becomes a powerful tool to transmit political and social messages, especially when addressing such urgent issues as the fight for gender equality and the denunciation of machismo. In this context, screen printing is not only a technical process, but a way to democratize art and make it accessible, creating a bridge between traditional art and popular culture. Specifically, the use of screen printing in your project reinforces the idea of making visible a social problem as complex as machismo, giving women a voice in a graphic and accessible way. Through this technique, which has historically been used for mass production, repetition can be emphasized, not only as a means of production, but also as a metaphor for the repetition of machismo and the persistence of gender stereotypes that women have had to face over time. Screen printing allows these issues to be addressed in a direct, visually striking way that resonates with a large audience. The accessibility of this technique also plays a crucial role. As an art form that can be reproduced in multiple copies, screen printing allows the message to spread beyond the exclusive scope of art galleries, reaching more people and, therefore, generating greater collective awareness about the problem of machismo. This ability to reach a wider audience makes screen printing a powerful means of denunciation and resistance, a tool to involve society in a debate that has historically been silenced. In contemporary artistic practice, this technique can take on a new dimension: no longer just as a form of image reproduction, but as an act of transgression that challenges power structures, especially those that perpetuate gender inequality. Using screen printing to create images of women, their struggles and the ways in which society has oppressed them, can be a symbolic act of resistance, seeking social and cultural transformation. When developing the proposal, the work of reflection and the connection between art, society and power structures takes on special relevance. If you decide to pursue this path, you could explore how the act of reproducing images of women through screen printing not only gives them visibility, but also positions them as agents of change in the social narrative, inviting a deep questioning of the norms and roles imposed by machismo. In this way, by integrating this approach into your artistic work, you are not only opening a space to reflect on machismo as a structural and cultural problem, but also showing how it affects society as a whole. Machismo, being deeply rooted, not only limits women's potential, but also keeps an entire society trapped in unequal power dynamics that prevent progress towards justice and equity. Using screen printing to give visibility to women is an act of subversion within a historical tradition that has often silenced their voices. In fact, screen printing, with its ability to reproduce images and messages en masse, becomes a powerful tool to amplify those voices and confront the dominant ideologies that perpetuate machismo. By doing so in an accessible way and in a format that can be widely distributed, your work has the power to reach a wider audience, generating a collective reflection on the impact of patriarchal structures in all areas of society. Art, as mentioned, does not only have an aesthetic role, but is a way to actively intervene in political and social discussions. In a similar way to how artists who questioned consumerism and mass culture did, your pictorial series not only talks about women, but about how that fight for gender equality is linked to a broader vision of social justice. The visual representation of women, especially those who have been historically marginalized or stereotyped, acts as a means to claim their stories and challenges, thus creating a space for other people to also question imposed gender roles. The series, by capturing the faces and resistance of women, not only becomes a visual representation of their struggles, but can also serve as a reminder of their power and their ability to resist in the face of adversities imposed by the patriarchy. The work has the potential to be a beacon of empowerment, inspiring both women and men to reflect on the importance of dismantling these unjust structures.