‘It emerged from a collective need for change and f*** you to the system,’ says the founder of Cute Cartel, a performance collective creating spaces for survivors of sexual violence and raising awareness of trauma.
Starting as a small scale creative project five years ago by Squid, a multidisciplinary artist from Manchester, it has since grown exponentially, now including hundreds of members across the UK.
The cultural backdrop of Cute Cartel’s rise is important, at a time when sexual violence, especially towards women and girls has been called a national emergency in the UK.
Rape culture continues to exist in the structures of society, leading to tragically high reported rates of sexual harrassment and violence in the UK.
Ongoing funding challenges and a demand which can’t meet the supply of support means independent, survivor-led spaces are emerging as important places of community support.
Cute Cartel performances
At Boomtown festival this year, I went along to watch one of the collective’s performances and speak to members.
Carrying bright pink crocheted weapons, dressed in pink-shaded garms and anonymised by uniquely-designed crocheted balaclavas, the Cute Cartel performed on stage in front of hundreds, caffeinated by a backdrop of heavy drum and bass.
It is fiery and unapologetic, eight members of the collective brandishing their cute toy props and embodying a seductive, fun energy encouraged by the crowd’s wild cheering.
On stage are hand-painted signs intermittently raised by members saying ‘Create a Culture of Consent’ and ‘No space for Rape Culture’ among other messages.
It is impossible not to feel transfixed by the bold, unmissable ‘cute’ pink aesthetic worn by the Cute Cartel, and walking around with some of the members after their performance, their popularity is clear.
Various festival-goers excitedly run up to some of the crew, expressing their love for the performances and stories of having seen them on other occasions at festivals, nights out or gigs.
The aesthetic
This striking aesthetic is integral to the collective’s identity and was initially curated by Squid, originally stemming from their love of Kawaii.
Kawaii is a Japanese sub-culture, its exact etymology difficult to directly translate into English. It represents an aesthetic which emphasizes things like cuteness, lovable and adorable. Squid mentions its birth which is said to have emerged after the Hiroshima Nuclear disaster.
“What I took from it is how ‘cute’ can be healing,” says Squid.
“Mixing the cute with the badass, including taking a colour often associated with femininity and subverting it to mean power, bizarre, fire.
“Cute also takes me back to being a child, and the comfort of cute toys.”
Community as healing
After spending time with the group, what is striking too is the collective cohesion between the members.
It’s clear here that a community has been created for survivors to express their emotions in a safe container of non-judgement and empowerment.
Dee, a member of Cute Cartel for just under a year, says she doesn’t know where she’d be without them after leaving an abusive relationship.
“I’ve met people through it who are hugely significant in my life post-abuse,” she says.
“Cute Cartel symbolises my liberation after being in an abusive relationship, not only helping me rebuild my self esteem but allowing me to assume a completely new identity (which is what the balaclava means to me) of not being a victim. But a survivor.”
Laura*, another Cute Cartel member, says something similar: “This collective has changed my life and given me opportunities I never thought I would have taken.
“I had years of my life taken away from me in a sexually abusive relationship and being part of this has been one of the biggest parts of my healing, and re-finding my connection to my body.”
Another striking part of Cute Cartel is its unique collective structure of decision-making, emblematic of the empowerment it wishes to provide.
It is effervescent and fluid, with Squid being clear that the future direction and aims of the collective lay strongly in the hands of its members and supporters, reminding me of a non-hierarchical system in the hands of those affected the most.
“It’s changing all the time, and that’s what I love about it,” he says.
“Cute Cartel has only just started – the future is exciting.”
*Names changed to maintain anonimity
Photo credits: Gigi El-Halaby
