Our Lockout Stereotypes artists
- Margaret Abeshu is an interdisciplinary designer from Ethiopia and is currently based in Oslo. She graduated Oslo National Academy of the Arts with an MFA in fashion and costume design. In her practice, she works with installation, visual, and tactile sartorial presentations. Her works are based on critical theory, art, and fashion in dominant pop culture.In her research, Abeshu draws thoughts by rediscovering critical perspectives from marginalized thinkers, artists, writers, philosophers, and radical movements opposing and questioning the socio-political realities constructed out of the four pillars of our contemporaneity: imperialism, colonialism, modernity, and capitalism.
- Deníse Lobonț graduated National University of Arts in Bucharest with a Bachelor’s degree and an MFA in Photography. Her practice is motivated by uncovering stereotypes and providing counter-narratives where established social constructs are being questioned and exposed. In her artistic project, the strip of portraits plays with the double meaning of the word cliché (literal photographic cliché and also, its meaning as an overused thoughtless idea) criticising the depiction of Roma minorities in a negative way.
- Silvia Trăistaru works as a visual artist and art restorer. Her artistic practice is interdisciplinary and includes painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, and video. In recent years, she has been using drawing as a therapeutic manner, incorporating words and exploring areas of the subconscious. She delves into the complexity and influence of personal memories and transgenerational memory. The artwork titled “Friendship,” which the artist intends to exhibit as part of the Lockout Stereotypes project, is inspired by her personal experiences from childhood—a sincere and beautiful friendship. This piece represents new approaches in her artistic evolution, using a technique she hasn’t experimented with before. While paper has been the support for her word drawings, in this ongoing project, her practice extends to textiles, fusing mixed media techniques.
- Mihaela Drăgan and Zita Moldovan, the founders of Giuvlipen -an independent Roma feminist theater, have worked in various artistic disciplines over the years, such as fashion design, music, theater, and video art. ”We wonder how traditional crafts practiced by Romani women will evolve in a way that contributes to the prosperity of our societies. If witchcraft becomes 𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘧𝘵, how will Romani-inspired clothing from traditional folklore evolve into a collection themed around the future? We propose a new vision of Romani art and culture that could inspire other Romani artists in the development of a new genre – Romani science fiction.”
- Mihaela Cimpeanu is a talented artist with a background in sculpture. She has exhibited her works in various group and solo exhibitions. In addition to her artistic pursuits, Mihaela has also devoted her time to teaching and engaging children in creative activities including drawing lessons and creating captivating illustrations for books. Through her interactive installation, ”We are all the same” the artist aims to evoke empathy and provoke deep reflection on how we relate to others, despite our diversity. At the center of the installation lies a symbol of unity, representing our shared essence and connection – blood. By engaging with the installation, spectators are invited to explore their own prejudices and stereotypes and discover the profound similarities that bind us all as human beings.
