BURNT TIMBER, WIRE
189 x 69 x 27 cm
Me Too, 2024
Me Too draws on the Mesopotamian myth of Inanna and Shukaletuda (1800 BC). It explores themes of violence, justice, and the abuse of power, most notably, it condemns the crime of rape. Inanna, the deity of love and power, seeks retribution for this violation, and she gets it. In the same way, the Me Too movement echoes this ancient narrative by confronting systemic sexual violence, demanding accountability from perpetrators, and affirming that no abuse of power should go unanswered. Like Inanna, survivors today are reclaiming their voices and insisting on justice.
Inanna epitomises female sexuality as joyful, autonomous, and free from fear. Her story celebrates a woman’s control over her body and desires, symbolising a world where sexuality and safety coexist. In contrast, Shukaletuda is remembered as a coward who envied the procreative power of women.
This perspective aligns with early egalitarian societies, where women enjoyed significant autonomy over their bodies and reproductive choices, reflecting a communal respect for individual freedom. These societies emphasised cooperation and balance over dominance, with women playing central roles in both social and economic life. This freedom fostered mutual respect between genders and illustrates how early cultures upheld values of equality and personal agency.