The Feminine Gaze

This series is a study of femininity and how women connect to the universe. Originally set out to explore the female figure through a feminine gaze, this series has taken shape in two distinct themes—one challenging society’s typical characterization of strength and the other exploring and embracing flaws. In the critique of our collective archetype of strength, these paintings depict soft feminine poses juxtaposed with powerful forces of nature. In our society, nudity (specifically female nudity) is often associated with vulnerability, and softness is often associated with weakness. These paintings strive to challenge that narrative by combining female bodies with powerful forces in nature. Additionally, the series explores embracing and reframing personal flaws. Inspired by the Japanese art form Kintsugi, these paintings depict delicate strength and celebrate healing. Kintsugi is the art of repairing cracks in ceramics to create a beautiful aesthetic, embracing the broken as new and beautiful. These paintings apply this visual motif to women’s faces and hands. This represents embracing the perceived flaws in our appearance or in the things we create. When shown together, the paintings evoke a counterargument to the negative discourse about women in both our culture and our private thoughts about ourselves and our insecurities.