I am a Pretty Girl

I Am a Pretty Girl challenges the societal norms and expectations placed on women—particularly the way clothing is policed and interpreted through the lens of patriarchy. Mbayiwa speaks to the pressure women face to dress in ways that conform to what men deem “appropriate,” while affirming that self-expression should not be subject to external judgment or control. Mbayiwa’s intent is not to provoke, but to honour a deeper cultural truth. He draws from pre-colonial African traditions, where minimal clothing— sometimes nothing more than a small piece of animal skin—was customary and not associated with shame or sexual provocation. In those times, respect for women was inherent, and their bodies were not targets of objectification or verbal abuse. Through I Am a Pretty Girl, Mbayiwa challenges the viewer to reconsider the roots of modesty, beauty, and respect. He invites a return to a more grounded understanding of dignity—one that does not rely on how a woman dresses but rather honours her agency and humanity. This work stands as a call to unlearn imposed values and reconnect with the cultural wisdom that once recognised and respected the body without shame.

Signed by the artist - bottom right corner.