Infinite Shades of womanhood
My thesis exhibition, Infinite Shades of Woman hood is more than a collection of artwork – it is an invitation to think, to change, to take action. It is a testament to the enduing strength and resilience of the female spirit.
The Three Graces sculpture is a beautiful conclusion to my study and creative practice. These process pictures show a little of the year long making of the full piece.
I created over 500 paper polyhedron shapes each one has about 5 magnets inside. After a lot of research, I got the magnet down to 1/32 thin but with a 2 pounds pull aspect ratio. There are about 3000 magnets total, and about 450 hand sewn magnets on the cotton hoop skirt.
The skirt can never be the same as the configuration you see tonight, the polyhedrons are tested this way and that until they come together with, after 2 hours, a click that sounds magical. They represent Invisible forces that make a connection or a polarized repulsion.
The metaphor of the magnet – the connection between the polyhedrons and the infrastructure represent the supportive networks and community as we bond together – they imply balance and harmony – magnetized contentedness is resilience, strength, collective determination – but yet made from paper imply a stability and fragility, strength and vulnerability.
The three graces can be interpreted in various ways, for example they can represent the past, present and future, in Greek mythology the three graces were goddesses associated with charm, beauty, and grace. But overall the sculpture is celebration.
The Three Graces, 2024, Monoprint Paper Magnetized Polyhedrons, Cotton Hoop Skirt with Magnets, with Bamboo Reed Skinned with Monoprint Tissue Paper , 7 feet x 3 feet
Portraits of Paradox Series
This series of portraits explores the paradoxes inherent in the societal expectations and individual realties, capturing the complexity of women’s lives. Each artwork challenges a different conventional norm or stereotype, inviting viewers to confront the dichotomies that shape women’s roles and aspirations.
I displayed two different versions of the same carved wood blocks, embossed and colorful collages to show conceptual depth in the use of multiple versions, but also to show variation in how the story can be told and interpreted.
Reflection, Relief on Tissue with Monoprint Collage on Birch Wood Panel, 8”x 10”, 2024
Time Alone, Relief on Tissue with Monoprint Collage on Birch Wood Panel, 8”x 10”, 2024
Warrior, Relief on Tissue, Intaglio on BFK with Monoprint Collage on Birch Wood Panel, 8” x 10”, 2024
Vunerability, Relief on Tissue with Monoprint Collage on Birch Wood Panel, 8”x 10”, 2024
Measured, Relief on Tissue with Monoprint Collage on Birch Wood Panel, 8”x 10”, 2024
Required for Womanhood?, Relief on Tissue with Monoprint Collage on Birch Wood Panel, 8”x 10”, 2024
Attractive?, Relief on Tissue with Monoprint Collage on Birch Wood Panel, 8”x 10” , 2024
Monthly, Embossed Print on BFK, 10” x 8”, 2024
Vunerability, Embossed Print on BFK, 10” x 8” , 2024
Warrior, Embossed Print on BFK, 10” x 8”, 2024
Required for Womanhood? Embossed Print on BFK 10” x 8” , 2024
Measured, Embossed Print on BFK, 10” x 8” , 2024
The Giver, Embossed Print on BFK, 10” x 8”, 2024
Attractive?, Embossed Print on BFK, 10” x 8”, 2024
Reflection, Embossed Print on BFK, 10” x 8”, 2024
Play, Embossed Print on BFK, 10” x 8” , 2024
Ambition, Embossed Print on BFK, 10” x 8” , 2024
Reproductive Justice
Parts of My Body Are Government-Owned a paper sculpture is a representation of the intersection between feminine identity, bodily autonomy, and political discourse. Crafted from monoprint paper in shades of pink with contrasting patterns, the sculpture’s surface represents the domestic symbolism of quilting.
This artwork is my tribute to the resilience and determination of women to assert agency over their own bodies and lives in the face of societal and political challenges in the United States.
Parts of my Body Are Government-Owned, Monoprint Paper Sculpture, 4 feet x 9 inches x 5 inches, 2023
SHOW ARTIST STATEMENT
Infinite Shades of Womanhood is a journey into the intricacies of feminine identity. Through different mediums, techniques, and themes, I invite viewers to explore the complex intersections of femininity, society, and self.
Central to the exhibition is the exploration of symbolism, metaphor, and visual storytelling as tools for conveying messages and eliciting responses. Each artwork serves as a representation of shared experiences and the collective consciousness of women and their allies, empowering them to challenge societal norms through bold strokes of creativity and insight.
At the heart of the exhibition stands The Three Graces, a monumental paper sculpture representative of feminine strength, unity, and resilience. As the polyhedra cascade down and fall from the voluminous skirt hem, they symbolize the interconnections of life’s experiences, and the connections made and lost.
In Parts of My Body Are Government Owned, the intersection of feminine identity, bodily autonomy, and political discourse takes center stage. This sculpture serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for reproductive rights and autonomy in the face of legislative control. The artwork is my tribute to the determination of women to assert agency over their own bodies and lives in the face of political challenges in the United States.
Infinite Shades of Womanhood is more than a collection of artworks—it is an invitation to take action and a testament to the enduring strength and resilience of the female spirit.