Entertainment / Pics of 'bruised' Sonia, Michelle used by Italian artist to show gender violence

The battered faces of some of the most famous women: former United States first lady Michelle Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Congresswoman Sonia Gandhi, among others, line the walls of Milan as part of a protest of Artists against gender violence.

If the value of the shock is what the Italian artist AleXsandro Palombo, the creator of the graphic posters, was looking for, the end was achieved. The images of the bloody and beaten faces of world leaders and politicians serve as a reminder of the lack of strong institutional measures to prevent crimes and violence against women.

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"Just because I'm a woman" by aleXsandro Palombo - International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women - Women protagonists of world politics as victims of gender violence - Chancellor Angela Merkel, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama, Brigitte Macron, Aung San Suu Kyi and Sonia Gandhi. - "Just because I'm a woman" I'm a victim of domestic violence - I get paid less - I’ve experienced genital mutilation - I do not have the right to dress as I want - I can't decide who I’m going to marry - I was raped ... Violence against women is a global issue that affects everyone, regardless of race, class or religion. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - #DomesticAbuse #DomesticViolence #violenceagainstwomen #violenciacontramulher #violence #violenzasulledonne #violenciadomestica #violenciadegenero #violenceconjugale #domesticviolencesurvivor #noustoutes #domesticviolenceawareness #WomenPower #Women #HumanRights #genderequality #Womenrights #WomanPower #michelleobama #hillaryclinton #angelamerkel #brigittemacron #violencesfaitesauxfemmes #Campaign #rapevictim #Feminism #Feminist #feminicidio #feminicidios #feminicide

A post shared by aleXsandro Palombo (@alexsandropalombo) on Jan 15, 2020 at 3:36am PST

“I am a victim of domestic abuse. I get paid less. I have suffered genital mutilation. I have no right to dress as I want. I cannot decide who I am going to marry. I was raped,” read the message under the bruised faces.

The series, which also features US Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, Aung San Suu Kyi of Mayanmar, former United States presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and Hollywood actress Kristen Stewart, among others, was destined to provoke an institutional response from Heads of state and those in charge of changing public opinion and politics.

Palombo aims to “illustrate the drama that affects millions of women around the world … with the aim of denouncing, raising awareness and obtaining a real response from institutions and politics,” his press office said in a statement.

The contemporary pop artist and activist, 45, is known for his colorful, thoughtful and irreverent works and uses satirical art to raise awareness about social and cultural problems.

Among his most important works are “Disney Princesses with disabilities” and “The Simpsons go to Auschwitz”.

He launched the #BriefMessage campaign to commemorate International Women’s Day, calling on women to report violence by writing a message in their underwear and sharing photography on social networks.

This latest campaign echoes one that Palombo launched in 2015, which featured manipulated photos of American celebrities such as actors Kirsten Stewart and Angelina Jolie and pop star Madonna.

(With AFP entries)

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