Girlhood

  The essential question for my portfolio is: how can I portray the experience of girlhood through portraiture? Using recurring motifs like the color pink, gems, and stars, I have tried to capture the feeling of femininity, female friendship, and the girl experience as a whole. What motivated me to choose this theme was the fact that feminine symbols like pink, bows, and glitter over time have become synonymous with frivolity and weakness. From a young age this reinforces the idea that embracing girlhood is something shallow or undesirable. I wanted to combat this narrative in my artwork by depicting these symbols in a positive light. I first started this process in my pieces Dress-Up and Lelli Kelly, which feature gemstones, tiaras, and loads of pink. While creating these pieces, I realized how much fun it was to give my work an “arts and crafts" type of feeling. As I continued my investigation, I experimented with other craft materials that held significance to my childhood, such as fabric from an old dress in the piece A Maker’s Mark. Each new material was a learning experience, but it was so much fun trying something new! Through this process, I have found that using these materials enhanced the nostalgic quality of my work while also challenging the idea that femininity is trivial. By embracing the symbols and aesthetics of girlhood I aim to celebrate its joy and whimsy, while also highlighting its complexity.