Paradise jacked: Primitivism, disidentification & feminist cultural practice

The purpose of this study is to explicate contemporary feminist artworks whose aim is to disengage from the "primitive" moniker placed upon them. With the inclusion of my own work, I have purposely chosen a disparate group of artists whose disciplines range from performance, the visual arts, film, installation and spoken word. The deliberateness of choosing such a group will touch on the Guattarian/Deleuzean concept of the rhizome as the interconnectedness of all things, as all share a commonality: their art is self-centred, aims to dismiss the "Master Narrative," and obstructs perceptions of those stigmatized by cultural identity, ability and history. My accompanying video project is a short, experimental piece combining mixed media, performance art and spoken word, serving as a conceptual montage of the ideas explored in this thesis.