The woman condition

How do I identify? How do you? At the precipice of adulthood during an age where a screen will tell you who you are or supposed to be, finding an identity to resonate with can be increasingly difficult, and it is something I have actually struggled with my whole life growing up a multicultural expat. Thus, the ubiquity of gender has led it to become a driving force of my own identity. This fundamental aspect unifies half the global population, forcing one to ask, how can something so large-scale resonate in such an individual way? In search of an answer to this question I have ventured to the fascinating complex relationship between gender identity and nature. On one hand, there is a deep-seated desire to identify with the natural world, to connect with its beauty and fertility, and to find a sense of belonging within it. On the other hand, there is a risk of dissociation, of losing oneself in the pursuit of this connection, and of perpetuating harmful gender stereotypes and norms. Through a carefully curated selection of works, I hope to challenge the viewer’s assumptions about gender, beauty, and nature, and to provoke a nuanced understanding of the complexities of these themes.

This exhibition serves as a reminder that women are connected to the natural world in a way that surpasses all superficial notions of society, through their shared inherent beauty and power. This intimate relationship has cultivated in my identity largely due to the cultural and historical associations between them that have surrounded my development. In many societies, women have traditionally been responsible for tasks related to the natural world such as gathering food and conception. This association with nature has been reinforced through symbols and metaphors in the art world throughout history, and demonstrated in this exhibition which has been influenced by renowned works of female representation in art, namely; Martini’s Annunciation, Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, Klimt’s Water Serpents II and Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe. These works represent diverse yet comparable interpretations of powerful female energies, as ideas of fertility and sensuality are expressed through the divine. Despite these female empowering subjects, the subtleties of the male perspective behind these works highlight the paralleling relationship between the domination and exploitation of women and nature. This view posits that both have been historically devalued and objectified because they are seen as passive and nurturing, and therefore powerless in a patriarchal society.

The works in this exhibition represent a range of perspectives on the relationship between womanhood and nature, from the sublime and mystical to the political and the cultural. The message being conveyed is reflected in my material and technique choices throughout: when referencing more conceptual ideas I used abstraction and paint while in order to relate more concrete realities I used photography. Overall the works can be characterised as colourful and decorative, invoking a sense of energy and playfulness in the viewer. This combined with the naive style and familiarity of the iconography hopes to instil nostalgia and transport the viewer to their infancy. Children are at the forefront of understanding identity, not yet influenced by the loud voices of society, entirely in touch with their nature. Nevertheless, gender expectations manage to be embedded into us during formative years, right from the division of pink and blue. The composition of my works aim to take the viewer through a journey towards finding security in one’s identity. First they are presented with derogatory and generalised interpretations of the female identity. This panel is followed by one of enlightenment; there is a rebirth of individuality and strengthened relationship to nature driven by power. Finally, the viewer is presented with a comment on how one’s identity is limited to what is prescribed of them when they do not have the inner strength to combat nor understand this. The intertwined relationship between nature and women communicates both as a force to be reckoned with. Fundamentally, I explore the ways in which gender identity shapes our relationship to the natural world, and the power that it should implement on young girls — giving them the ability to shape their sense of self without submitting to societal standards.