Rana Sumerler

Date of Award

2026

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Contemporary Art

First Advisor

Agnes Berecz

Second Advisor

Judith Prowda

Abstract

The Witch Hunt exhibition conjures a powerful dialogue between history, identity, and empowerment, bringing together sixteen international artists to channel the spirit of the witch. This show traces a vast genealogy of women—from the 15th century witch hunts to Californian artistic legacies of the 1970s, to the exhibitions opening in 2021, and into present day. The participating artists emerge as symbols of resistance through their creations which transform domesticity, sexuality, and labor into sites of inquiry all while grappling with the intersectional concerns of womanhood.  In a moment marked by political upheaval, the exhibition is particularly resonant in its exploration of personal narratives, political critique, and formal experimentation across diverse media. This thesis investigates how feminist artists translate forms of discrimination into visual and performative language by confronting systemic inequalities, reclaiming marginalized histories, and navigating structures of power. The works function simultaneously as ritual and manifesto, turning museum spaces into sites of collective memory and reflection. Ultimately, this study explores how feminist ideologies within artistic practice do more than just visualize inequality: they intervene, amplify, and destabilize norms, a strategic marker which shapes contemporary art and culture.

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