COMMON THREADS
This series of work began by exploring commonalities between women with a gap of 50 years or more. The original images were found in magazines published before the Roe v. Wade ruling and after it was overturned. Among the old and new magazines, I began looking for similarities and differences between the depictions of women. I question what those differences are or if there are any to be found. By juxtaposing 50-year-old images of women with today’s women, I provide a space for the women to communicate. I wonder what they would say and ask others to envision their interactions. Now that women’s reproductive autonomy lacks federal protection, I am hoping this generation of women will push for more relevance and equality before all rights are erased.
The use of gold in many of the works references the Japanese practice of “kintsugi” which is over 600 years old. It is a metaphor for transformation through brokenness and restoration acknowledging that breakage is not the end. Although nothing stays forever, our flaws and missteps can be mended with great care and allows room for hope and an invitation for growth.