I am a representational oil painter motivated by a deep impulse to create social narrative art, especially feminist portraiture. By feminist portraiture I mean, portraits of women that express a desire for social change by addressing gender inequalities that are culturally inscribed by the patriarchy in western societies.
The visual representation of women is of paramount importance to me, primarily because of my identity as a petite, feminine woman, who is often overlooked in my intellect, strengths, and capabilities. The frequently degrading, morally nullifying, and submissive ways in which women have been pervasively depicted in historical and contemporary contexts drive my work and my need to generate conversations surrounding the visual representation of women.
Many of the paintings I have made are portrayals of myself, reflecting on my identity as a woman and how cultural implications have complicated what it means, to me, to be a woman. I consider my self-portraits to be acts of performance. I often position myself as the model in my work, assuming positions that range from uncomfortable, physically awkward and tiring, to confident, uninhibited and empowering. Through enacting these poses, I find a sense of endurance and strength that I am able to transfer to my figurative paintings.
In my paintings, I want to reveal truth about struggles I face, as a woman, that are rooted in gender stereotypes and expectations. My paintings explore narratives around empowerment, disempowerment, and most frequently the intersection of the two, constructing a sense of defiance within confinement.
