It's no secret that the idea of gender equality makes many men feel uncomfortable. A sizeable chunk of them, lifelong beneficiaries of our patriarchal system, feel threatened, puzzled or are simply bored by it. These are attitudes we're used to hearing from powerful men in public life.
But such patronising, anti-feminist viewpoints pervade every realm of our lives and it's our job to call out examples of #EverydaySexism, so props are due to one British art student for her ingenious response to a closed-minded teacher.
Twenty-three-year-old Alex Bertulis-Fernandes (@alexbertanades) was told by her art teacher to "dial down the feminism" in her work – but the young feminist was having none of it and she decided to use the comment as inspiration.
Last week one of my art teachers suggested I 'dial down the feminism.' Today I showed him my newest piece: pic.twitter.com/VrnB4oJ8Cz
— AlexBertulisFernande (@alexbertanades) February 7, 2018
Bertulis-Fernandes created an ingenious piece: a feminist dial below her teacher's phrase, 'dial down the feminism', with 'complicit in my own dehumanisation' at one end and 'raging feminist' at the other. Naturally, the artist has dialled it all the way up.
Her tweet of the image went viral overnight after it was posted on Wednesday evening, racking up more than 42k retweets and 152k likes by Thursday morning.
Twitter users showered Bertulis-Fernandes with praise, with art teachers more progressive than her own applauding her talent and many others encouraging her to create merchandise and exhibit her work publicly.
This is GREAT and ps I'm an arts teacher and students like you GIVE ME LIFE ❤️😻🔥😁
— Kate Kirtz (@katekirtz) February 8, 2018
As an art teacher, I’m appalled. As a woman, I’m furious! Dial it down? I will add my feminism to you and LETS TURN IT WAY UP! nice response art!
— fig (@EmWolfe1) February 8, 2018
If you got anything less than an A for the year, you got robbed. The perfect piece as a perfect response.
— Eye of Kitra (@EyeofKitra) February 8, 2018
They always ask women to tone it down when speaking up on issues. Translation: “Protest but do it the way I want it so it doesn’t ruffle my feathers.”
— Fransisca Lifestyle (@FransiscaLstyle) February 8, 2018
@alexbertanades is my new favorite artist. Will think of her each time I crank my raging feminism up to 11. https://t.co/mmPW6o4pA6
— Amanda Green (@weary_river) February 8, 2018
Please keep making more Art in this theme of 'turning down the dial' aka a series. Please merchandise it. Please exhibit it in galleries
— Diana Cofini (@cofinidi) February 7, 2018
Honestly I would purchase one too! Please sell this as a print
— Watching Parks and Recs for the first time (@OnbeingAdeline) February 7, 2018
I would love a poster of this
— Pyjama Sam 🏳️🌈 (@NoGoodStoryEnds) February 8, 2018
Since posting the image, Bertulis-Fernandes tweeted that she had been "overwhelmed" by the response and was considering selling prints or T-shirts with the design. "Just trying to figure out the best way to do this. Once I do I will share the details here."
Thanks for all the love shown to this piece, it really means the world. I'm a bit overwhelmed so it may take me some time to respond to everyone! I'm considering selling prints/t-shirts - just trying to figure out the best way to do this. Once I do I will share the details here.
— AlexBertulisFernande (@alexbertanades) February 8, 2018
Bertulis-Fernandes has produced other similarly clever artwork in the past, as displayed on her website alexbertulisfernandes.com. One piece about 'the advantages of being a Hollywood actress' lists the following: 'Not having to pay as much tax as your male co-stars' and 'getting free publicity whenever you gain or lose weight.'
In another, a spoof ad campaign 'that will never run', she wishes the ailing NHS a speedy recovery, telling it to 'Get well soon'.
Read These Next:
5 Women Artists On Capturing The Female Body Uncensored
We Are Here: 4 Artists On Being A BME Woman Today
This Photographer’s Dreamy Nudes Will Give You Serious Wanderlust (NSFW)
Like what you see? How about some more R29 goodness, right here?
Why Meghan Markle Has Been Secretly Visiting Grenfell Fire Survivors