Call for Papers

Special thematic issue of TaHiTi: Art, Activism, and Gendered Violence

One of the most well-known examples of gender-based violence within feminist visual studies is the story of Artemisia Gentileschi (1593–1653). While the earlier research has approached Gentileschi both as a victim of violence or a feminist icon, the more recently research has embraced her as a politically conscious artist who addressed in her work, among other things, the hierarchies of power between the genders. In the interpretations of Gentileschi’s art—as in this thematic special issue—questions of power, gender, corporeality, and the politics of the gaze are central.

In this issue, violence is approached as a gendered phenomenon, meaning its forms, cultural representations, and historical contexts differ between genders. The imagery of gender-based violence is part of art historical continuities, structural societal problems, gender inequality, and human rights violations. At the same time, these visual representations also enable change and alternative ways of seeing.

The special issue Art, Activism, and Gendered Violence invites examination of the interconnections between gender and violence in the contexts of visual culture, art history, and art activism. Central to this issue are the cultural and historical representations of gender-based violence, the identification and deconstruction of visual cultures of violence, and the political and societal transformative power of art activism. We also welcome contributions that explore the potential of art and research to reimagine the relationships between gender, art, violence, and activism.

This issue is inspired by the question of how art, in its creative forms, can contain political intentions—and how political action can become creative. In addition to research articles, we welcome alternative forms of contributions such as visual essays, activist performances and images.

This thematic special issue addresses the following questions:

How is gender-based and gendered violence reflected in contemporary visual cultures or from a historical perspective?

What kinds of interpretations do visual representations of gender-based violence receive within the contexts of art history, activist art, and contemporary culture?

What kinds of political and critical knowledge and theory-building are needed?

What alternative interpretations, historical insights, or political realities can be uncovered?

We invite researchers and artist-researchers to submit research articles, visual essays, commentaries, and reviews related to our theme. The issue is edited by Mari Mäkiranta, Jonna Tolonen and Katve-Kaisa Kontturi.

TIMETABLE:

Abstract deadline November 16, 2025

Abstract acceptance notification December 5, 2025

Article submission February 6, 2026

Comments from the editors February–April 2026

Final article submission May 4, 2026

Publication June 2026

Please, send your abstract (maximum of one page) to Jonna Tolonen (jonna.tolonen@ulapland.fi).  The author guidelines are available at https://tahiti.journal.fi/about/submissions.

The issue will be produced in cooperation with the research project "Artivism on Edges – Art, Activism, and Gendered Violence", which is led by Mari Mäkiranta and funded by the Kone Foundation. 

 

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Voit olla sunnitteilla olevasta artikkelista etukäteen yhteydessä toimitukseen. Voit myös ehdottaa ideoita tuleviin teemanumeroihin.

 

• Ville Hakanen – ville.hakanen@helsinki.fi
• Katve-Kaisa Kontturi – katkon@utu.fi
• Marja Lahelma – marja.lahelma@ateneum.fi