A new public mural in Fitzroy, Melbourne depicts a woman in BDSM fetish gear gagged and bound with ropes.
The chilling image of eroticised violence against women as ‘art’ is on display for the general public – including survivors of rape and sexual assault, domestic abuse, and children.
Responding to objections, the artist defended the mural as “empowering” and told objectors to “chill”.
But there is nothing “empowering” or subversive about normalising or glamorising violence against women. While the artist may view female subordination and degradation as the means to empowerment, ALL women are harmed by the promotion of violence against us, dehumanisation, and the message that deep down we desire violence and abuse.
OMG that has got to come down.
Yes it does pronto
I’d be spray painting over it whoa so offensive and triggering WTF is this artist thinking empowering for Who???
OMG! Like whaaaat the … ?
I agree, “there is nothing “empowering” or subversive about normalising or glamorising violence against women”. this image is wrong on so may levels I am speechless.
If ever there is a time for graffiti ” artists” to act, it is NOW. Get to work, and obliterate this obscenity.
You’ve got to be joking. And this same council will no doubt be tut-tutting about what can they possibly do to help prevent violence against women
Completely not ok.
Unacceptable.
It does show that women are still being victimised and that we are just “overreacting ” and “too sensitive ” and have ” no sense of humour” when we protest.
I was hoping we wouldn’t still be facing such blatant misogyny in 2025. I’ve been around for a while, obviously. Was more hopeful 40 years ago. WTF is happening?