MP5 ‘The Care of Knowledge’ in Naples, Italy

Italian muralist and feminist champion MP5 painted recently a tribute to Hypatia’s freedom of thought at the Women’s Documentation Center in the Spanish quarters in Naples, Italy.

As explained by the artist, this Women’s Center contains a rich library and archives of documents of documents on national and international feminist movements. In the same building, there is also an anti-violence center frequented by many women, from the neighborhood and from elsewhere. Unfortunately, only a few people are aware of the existence of this place, not even a sign in the entrance. This is the reason MP5 was contacted by the employees of the Center with the idea of using her work to make it more visible to passersby. 

“For ‘Care for knowledge’ I was inspired by the figure of Hypatia, a woman of science, an astronomer and a philosopher, who lived in the 4th century and is considered a martyr of freedom of thought because she was killed for her knowledge. The archives of the Center and its anti-violence desk are a collective treasure, a richness that must be treated as an active element of the community. This made me link the place with Hypatia, the person who cares for knowledge and pays for it with her life, becoming an inspiration for all women. In a similar way, I believe the Women’s Documentation Center of Naples and its documents and help-desk should be of inspiration and support to all women and in particular to those women victims of gender violence.” – MP5

About MP5

MP5 is an Italian artist known for her incisive black and white drawings, illustrations, mural works and video animations. Her background is settled in the Italian and European underground scene and counterculture. She designed posters for political demonstrations, concerts, theater festivals and she worked on public mural works in Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia and Sweden. Her illustrations have been published in newspaper and magazines including: Le Monde Diplomatique, Linus, Liberazione, Il Male, Blue, Animals, Il Mucchio. Her works and installations have been exhibited in national  and international festivals and museums. She also collaborated with art galleries and institutions. She published two books: Palindromi and Acqua Storta for which she won the “Micheluzzi Prize” for the best Italian sketch artist at Napoli Comicon 2011.

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