SUUS AND THE DRUNKS (‘JUST PUSH A LITTLE FURTHER’)

‘Suus en de Dronkaards’/’Suus and the Drunks’ (‘Nog Even Aandringen’/’Just Push a Little Further’) is a drawing inspired by the biblical narrative of sexual assault and bribery of Susanna and the Elders. Traditionally, Susanna has been portrayed in art history as a seductress, often implied to be soliciting her own assault. This work reinterprets elements of the biblical story within a contemporary framework. In this modern context, Susanna is not portrayed as soliciting anything at all. The act of purchasing her beers introduces a notion of ‘risk investment’ in potential sexual engagement, exemplified by the implication of ‘I buy you a drink – you go home with me tonight.’

The second title critiques the misogynistic rhetoric of Dutch far-right politician Thierry Baudet, who infamously asserted: “If a woman says no, you shouldn’t take it as a no; you should just say: honey, we’re going to have a drink. Just push a little further.” This statement reflects broader concerns about the normalization of coercive attitudes toward consent and underscores the necessity for critical examination of such prevailing misogynistic ideologies.