THE MONSTROUS FEMININE

Early science fiction films blended elements of horror with science, tapping into humanity’s collective fear of the unknown. In these films, women were almost always depicted as victims. The influential film studies scholar, Barbara Creed, coined the term “the Monstrous Feminine” to critique this portrayal of women in genre films, challenging the patriarchal and one-dimensional representation of women. Conversely, in popular Asian myth and folklore, the monstrous was often represented by female figures. Powerful women, or those who had been marginalised, were often portrayed as characters that transformed into fearsome creatures, going on to exact revenge.

This chapter of the exhibition inverts these narratives, positioning outlandish feminine characters as vigorous and empowered figures. The artists in this chapter aim to inspire a shift in perspective, paving the way for more authentic portrayals of women, allowing them to reclaim their stories and create new symbols of strength that can resonate across time and cultures.