Alice Brookes practice lies at the intersection of activism and performance art as seen through a feminist, anti-capitalist lens.  She is primarily concerned with gender by exploring the relentless need society has to commodify, control and silence women often through fear and shame. She has a strong focus on domesticity and the global pressure for female perfection, as seen through the patriarchal gaze.

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"I am interested in the notion of women partaking both consciously and subconsciously in gender stereotyping that in turn impacts what they feel they should be and do, including often adhering to polite expectations. I worked in the international fashion industry for over 10 years and even now continue to confront ingrained expectations about female beauty with ultimate ‘value’ being placed on appearance and youth."

 

Her performances are also about residue, what is left behind as much as the performance itself. She draws on personal experience of reoccurring violence and abuse, politics, social media and artists both historical and current; alongside feminist theory that highlights the 'depictions of women as saint or sinner, mother or monster'. Being 'that' sort of woman are entrenched boundaries that Alice battles against constantly.

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I am currently collaborating with Dr Anna De Amicis | Henley Business School  on an conceptual paper and performative act in the area of "animal studies", studying the crossing of human/non-human animals divide to better include, care about and ethically consider the well-being and rights of all living beings.

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