Female Equals Future 2023

Curator: At the Harvard Art Museums we have Joana Choumali's mixed-media artwork. It’s titled "Female Equals Future" and its large size immediately draws the eye, doesn't it? Editor: It does, and I’m immediately struck by the layering; it feels like a poignant commentary on visibility and the burdens placed upon young women. Curator: Absolutely. Choumali masterfully combines photography with embroidery, challenging conventional notions of art production and pushing boundaries between art and craft. The materials themselves—thread, fabric, photographic print—speak to a fusion of traditional practices and modern expression. Editor: The slogan emblazoned on her shirt is so direct, so powerful, as a signifier of hope and potential; the trailing threads below read like anxieties or perhaps even unseen connections. Curator: I agree. The symbolism is rich. Ultimately, Choumali invites us to contemplate the multifaceted realities of women's lives and labor, and to question what futures are possible when we invest in female empowerment. Editor: It’s interesting how the artwork makes you think about what is literally holding her back and how the weight she carries is both physical and symbolic. Thank you for that view, it's a lot to consider.