Amina's Selections

Curator's Statement: Amina Doherty on ARTivism

I think my art and my activism have always been one and the same. As an all-ways feminist, sometimes writer, self-taught painter, budding photographer with a growing interest in filmmaking, wannabe DJ, and cultural curator, I feel compelled to ask questions, share experiences, and tell stories--and to do that in a way that challenges oppression at all levels. In my art, I am particularly interested in exploring issues around identity and "belonging" vis-à-vis race, gender, and sexuality, together with ideas of love, community, justice, and freedom. I seek to document images, sounds, and stories that are often left out of mainstream narratives.

I chose these women because every woman I have ever known has had a story, and every story waiting to be told has been a truth waiting to be freed.

I chose these women because as women we have always shared heart-wisdoms through our creative expressions - through our music, art, dance, poetry, and prose. 

I chose these women because women sharing our creative processes, motivations, and inspirations can be healing and restorative. 

I chose these women because their art is their connection to the spaces around them, to their bodies, to each other.

I chose these women because through their art they show up accountable and speak on what they know to be true. 

I chose these women because through their art like their activism is transgressive practice, it is personal and political, liberating and beautiful. 

I chose these women because through their art we see women's worlds as they are, and the worlds that they imagine could be.

About Amina

Amina Doherty is a Nigerian feminist ARTivist whose work focuses on creative arts for advocacy. Amina brings to her activism a passion for music, art, travel, photography, fashion, and poetry. She has authored thought-pieces and been featured in publications such as The Feminist Wire, Afro-Elle Magazine, Q-Zine, Interrupt Magazine, The African Women's Development Fund Blog, The Body is Not an Apology and others. She is a member of several youth-led platforms, including CatchAFyah: The Caribbean Feminist Network, and has hosted an interactive video blog series called "Young Women Speak Out" on the Sylvia Global Media Network. 

Amina is deeply committed to mobilizing resources and creating opportunities for other women. She has facilitated learning initiatives on women's rights, youth development, philanthropy, and economic justice. Prior to her role as general coordinator and one of the founding members of FRIDA | The Young Feminist Fund, Amina worked in the women's rights grant-making program at the Sigrid Rausing Trust in London. She currently sits on the boards of Just Associates and the Global Fund for Women.

In 2012, Amina was recognised by singer Annie Lennox as a women's rights "Champion for Change."

Amina has lived and studied in Nigeria, Antigua, Canada, and the UK. She currently lives in Kingston, Jamaica, where she writes, swims, and paints regularly. Connect with her on Twitter at @sheroxlox or Tumblr at followingherfootsteps.