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Around this bronze statue, the words 'This princess saves herself' are written in silver letters. It could hardly be clearer. Time to change old-fashioned fairy tales about princes who save princesses. With a sense of humour and in a language all her own, Lara Schnitger depicts in many of her works contemporary, topical discussions about gender inequality, role patterns, solidarity and security. After studying at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague, this Dutch artist rapidly made an international career. Since then, she has been living and working in Los Angeles.

Although textile is her medium of choice, her (sculptural) art borders on fashion, graphic design and architecture. She makes flags and banners as well as installations and sculptures. The everydayness of textile makes it easy for the viewer to relate physically to her work. After all, everyone covers themselves in fabric. Schnitger sees clothing as a form of architecture in which the body is the construction that both carries and shapes the textile. In the public space of a city, architecture and clothing both provide the surfaces on which political, social and economic messages are conveyed in images and texts.

Especially for 'The Sculpture Gallery', Schnitger has transformed her usual material into bronze and stainless steel. Although there is no body to be seen, the shape of her sculpture in The Hague immediately evokes associations with a human figure dressed in, yes, what is it: a hoop skirt, a corset, lingerie with a sash? Instead of a woman, a steel pole holds up the clothing. In the middle of the city centre, Schnitger is making a feminist statement. With a nod to the royal princesses, of course.

Prior to the unveiling of this sculpture, the artist organised 'Suffragette City' in collaboration with Stroom Den Haag: a procession that is as playful as it is politically charged and that calls attention to women's rights and safety. Dressed in special overalls and dresses, the participants - women, but also men and children - carried in the procession, in addition to banners and flags, sticks covered with lingerie, the so-called 'Slut Sticks'. The title "Suffragette City" refers to the women's movement of the same name in England and America at the beginning of the 20th century and to a song by David Bowie.