"Sex Symbol?" by Mathilde FDLP

"Sex Symbol" (50x70cm). Mathilde FDLP. Acrylic and Collage on canvas. Original Piece.

"Sex Symbol?”  is a vibrant and critical reflection on the representation of Black women, glorified for their beauty and « exoticism » but often reduced to a fixed image, a collective fantasy.

The title, “Sex Symbol?”, raises the question: is that all she is? Where does she stand in a society that desires her while chaining her to its projections and stereotypes?

The jewelry adorning her neck, shimmering with wealth and power, is not just decorative; it is also her chains. They symbolize the weight of history, where Black women have been chosen, possessed, admired for their bodies and beauty, but rarely recognized for their true essence. Draped in gifts and gold, she embodies this paradox: someone everyone wants to admire or possess, yet whose voice is often silenced.

The painting, with its bold colors and collage elements, portrays this duality. The pen points to a history written by others, a history where Black women are reduced to muses or objects of desire. The tiger, wild and untamed, reflects her inner strength, often overlooked. The cocktail glass and city lights evoke glamour but also consumerism, which reduces women to mere images. The inscription “Sex Symbol?” directly challenges this social construct: is she merely a symbol, or is she a complex, free, and complete woman?

This painting is not just a denunciation; it is an invitation to rethink how we view Black women. It calls for the recognition of their sovereignty, the breaking of their symbolic chains, and the restoration of their rightful place: as free women, far beyond any symbol or fantasy.