Clara Carvajal’s exhibition Amazonomachy focuses on reclassifying the Amazon’s role in history. Recent historical discoveries prove the existence of female warriors from the 5th century onwards, denouncing therefore, prejudice in traditional interpretations, which relegated their existence to the realm of mythology. “In this work I denounce a sexist reading of history where women are denied the glory of an epic past,” says Carvajal.
Contrary to tradition, for H. von Kleist, Penthesilea is a warrior queen who savagely killed Achilles at the battle of Troy to obtain independence for her people.
According to history the Amazons have disappeared. We could, nevertheless ask where Amazonian virtues are deposited today. The answer is everywhere. They are invested in all women involved in their communities’ issues, women who are part of life’s competitive struggle at work, in politics, art, sports, science, etc.
Women armed with natural abilities, equipped with education and backed by mutual recognition, fiercely stand up to existing prejudice, to demand, rather than appeal for, their position in the world.
Protagonists are: Arifa Bseiso (1984, Jordan) Jordan’s Lightweight Boxing Champion, featured in Nike’s campaign to promote female sports in the Middle East; Farinaz Lari Khanjari (1987, Iran) the first Iranian woman to win the World Kickboxing Championship; boxer Joana Pastrana (199, Spain) who was recently proclaimed World Flyweight Champion in Madrid, on October 5, 2018, for the second time.
The exhibition is on view until the 29th of May.