Final answer:
Wangechi Mutu's 'Preying Mantra' functions to challenge stereotypes about the female African body, criticize Western beauty ideals, and bridge African and Western cultural discourse while confronting environmental and representational issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
Wangechi Mutu's art, particularly 'Preying Mantra,' serves to challenge stereotypes about the female African body, criticize Western ideals of beauty, and explore the relationship between African and Western cultures. Her work highlights the violence and misrepresentations imposed on today's Black women, displaying objectified, otherworldly female figures through various media including painting, sculpture, collage, and video. Mutu's figures are complex, showcasing the impact of environmental destruction alongside natural beauty, while urging viewers to reconsider mythical images, cultural dimensions, and interpretations rooted in globalism.
In the broader context of contemporary art, women artists have been manipulating the image of the female body to address and subvert historical stereotypes and sexual portrayals. This shift has opened a space for artists of color to become more visible, changing the narrative to be inclusive and representative of multiple cultures. In essence, Mutu's work engages with these themes, creating a dialogue about identity, gender, and the cultural significance of the African female form.