After really enjoying making my first nude figure drawing, I decided to create another croquis. This time I wanted to explore a different body type and different design techniques. I overlapped the lines of the figures and made them partially transparent
To represent inner tension in the women’s rights movement, I created spherical shapes out of soft clay. Then to make it seem like it was being squeezed and tightened under pressure, I wrapped string around them. I put them into separate bags and also added water mixed with black ink, and later wrote markings on each bag. Each individual ziplock represents the individual frustrated female in our societies due to injustices and everyday problems due to their gender. The balls of clay tightly wound represent different emotions women may feel but are forced to restrain, and the markings on each bag make them unique, like the unique problems pertained to different women. Each bag depicts different feelings like rage and woe, but also include other emotions the women’s rights movement can create, like compassion and understanding.
To emphasize the nuance of opinion and characters in the feminist movement, I showed different versions of myself fighting together. Kicking, grabbing, and pulling hair are all featured in this painting, aggression pouring out from all angles. But each version of myself has no choice but to be connected together, stitched together by string that weaves through each ones hair, much like how members of the women’s rights movement have no choice but to grouped together. Feminists are assumed to share the same opinions, and in turn each individual’s nuances and colors are ignored. Although it is inevitable that each person would have difference of opinion, especially in a movement as large as the women’s rights movement, this individuality should be celebrated and used to further the message of the feminist movement.
For this piece I wanted to portray how many women or supporters can be silenced for their beliefs, specifically those in countries that do not prioritize women or consider them second-class citizens. Many women around the world are actually being abused, but their cries for help are ignored. Meanwhile, many women in first world countries complain about trivial matters and believe they are the ones being mistreated. I tried to depict myself as afraid and helpless and possible, as hands trapped me under a tarp to silence me. I also added parts of a magazine that looks like a newspaper to reference how any current events revolve around this problem.
To portray the preference for sons many societies can have, I showed a young boy being the center of attention, blowing at the candles on the cake with the only crown hat, while the girls with regular party hats next to him spectate. The general public’s prioritization on boys start early in life, as many cultures believe sons to be more valuable and push girls to the side. I drew the child and people with pencil, making each person complex and unique. However, i put objects around them singular colors without gradients or shadows to show how the society they live in simplifies everything, like their worth based solely on their gender.
This is my first experience with a nude figure drawing. I experimented with a new art style to show different kinds of shadows and outlines, especially with the left thigh highlighted by red charcoal.
For this piece I wanted to really explore my potential in watercolor, and experiment with techniques and colors. I had always found it fascinating to see how differently glass reacted to light. Instead of just one face of an object being illuminated, the entire object lights up. To show this, I got multiple transparent objects and filled them with colorful objects and liquids.
I had always had a special appreciation for street cables. The way they are supposed to fulfill one uniform purpose, and branch out to the entire world to fulfill this purpose has always stuck with me. I decided to do this piece in pencil to emphasize the conformity in street cables, but also contrast shadows to differentiate them enough.
This piece portrays the message of feminism itself. The worn billboard with the feminist slogans represents how old the message is, and the modern twist around the billboard represents the ongoing movement that has continued to this day.
Society’s current obsession with identity politics unfortunately creates many labels and a “us vs. them” between groups of people. A movement I believe that has unfortunately incorporated these ideals is the feminist movement. Although it started with the basic notion that women deserve the same rights as men, it now has now made room for a small but loud group of extremists that are obsessed with finding every little problem that may not even be there. To portray this compulsivity, I drew a lit.
The poster with the black and white portrays the inner turmoils and conflicts between members of the feminist movementm usually verbal attacks.
Society’s push to have women participate in the work field increases pressure and expectations, making women needlessly feel incompetent if they don’t meet—sometimes impossible—standards. Striving to juggle time-consuming roles of a mother, a partner, a worker, a student, and etc to satisfy the expectations of society, has been dubbed the Superwoman complex. It’s increasing prevalence in society has expanded along with the advancements of women in the workplace, proving to be counterproductive to the pursuit of the well-being of women. To portray the Superwoman complex, I tried to show a female scrutinizing over a voodoo doll of herself, and trying to manipulate it to her will. Her narrowed, focused stare along with the needle in her careful hand parallels the neurotic self-criticism women may have about themselves stemming from unhealthy expectations from society, and their need to fix their flaws. I also added iconic images of superheroes in our culture to reference actual superheroes.
This is my first piece after deciding to start art. I wanted to show tension by drawing me being too close to a high ledge, but also add a unique twist to the piece by adding a wall of ivy inside the building and a vine wrapping around my wrist. The piece was meant to show my indecisiveness with the vine holding me back, and the fear of failing being reinforced.