"Keyboard Activism isn't the Only Activism" - Lady Skollie Art and Advocacy

Laura Windvogel known by her pseudonym Lady Skollie and recently dubbed Kaapstad Kanye by Mail and Guardian is a visual artist unafraid to push boundaries through her work and persona.

Lady Skollie is renowned for her explicit artwork, with themes centered on gender, sex, and sexuality. While her work is sometimes misconstrued as solely promoting sex and sexuality, she emphasizes that it goes beyond that. Her art advocates for sex and body positivity and empowers young women to make decisions that prioritize their well-being and success. On the significance of her work, she explains: “I think my work promotes a brashness that everyone might feel inside but does not always engage with.”

Candid, provocative, and opinionated on social media, some might wonder if this boldness is part of her brand. She affirms, “Expressing those opinions is a part of the Lady Skollie brand. We can all be opinionated, but I want—through my own brashness—to inspire others to be as vocal, not only in the social media realm but in life overall. Keyboard activism isn’t the only activism.”

I ask her about her controversial yet well-received artwork #Sorrynotsorry, which responded to musician Okmalumkoolkat’s letter following his arrest for sexual assault. Was this a broader advocacy for young women or a response to a specific incident? She replies, “I was affected by the deafening silence from industry stalwarts (and) how sexual misdemeanors are normalized. I see myself as someone with a mouth so big it can get me in trouble, but speaking out and asking very important questions is something I’ll gladly risk trouble for.”

Whether she ruffles feathers or speaks the words others are too afraid to say, one cannot deny Lady Skollie’s artistry and her growing influence.

Catch Lady Skollie’s next exhibition at the Stevenson Gallery on April 21st. This group exhibition, titled SEX, will feature her work alongside that of artists FAKA, Steven Cohen, and others.

Hottentot Skollie (2016)

Credits:

Photography: Neil Roberts

Writing: Phendu Kuta