Transforming Women's Lives

Visual Enquiry. From Archive to Interview.

Bobby Baker's work sounds equally hilarious and alarming, contained and spontaneous. The area of the domestic, food and kitchen activities is certainly ripe for reframing and consideration as a valid subject of art. Baker seems well aware of the ramifications of her work, channeling the harsh facts that each generation of women face. Initially the writing in this piece was a dry feminist discourse which is a little offputting and humourless - it can be its own worst enemy. Later, when the performances were actually described, the work seemed to come alive, and convey its barely suppressed energy and psychologically conscious action.

Again art is a form of therapy and a way to channel realisation that can't go anywhere else constructively.

Elaine Aston

'Transforming' Women's Lives: Bobby Baker's Performances of 'Daily Life'.       Article from New Theatre Quarterly exact publication unverified.

Reflection

The answer to what is laid upon women is surely not 24 hour nurseries. There is little point in attempting to negate the facts of nature and having women suppress their femininity and motherhood as well as everything else. As someone who has experienced becoming a mother, and realising that suddenly the world of work was not open to me, the answer surely lies around more flexible and part time work, more freelance opportunities and help for mothers to study, earn and multi task. Still the goal.

8th August 2011