Hooker Red Lips, Cassie Zook

Exhibition Label: "Prepared: Strategies for Activists," Apr-2012, Kris Ercums Cassie Zook is currently enrolled as an “International Baccalaureate Visual Arts Candidate” at Hutchinson High School, where she is conducting a project on the study of the visual arts in recent protests. After attending a workshop as part of this exhibition, Zook created this work. She writes: Inspired by a comment from a teacher who “jokingly” said I looked like I had “Hooker Red Lips” when I wore red lipstick to school. This comment was not only said once, but twice in front of my peers and it deeply offended me. As my own personal protest I then wore red lipstick every day. This piece represents the derogatory way the words slut, hooker, and whore are used to demean women. These words showcase the way society often views women and feminism. With recent media events and public comments this piece represents a protest that speaks towards the power of words. Words that now demand respect and work to empower women everywhere.