EXHIBITION
Open Art
LOCATION
Larochette Castle, Larochette, Luxembourg
DATES
24 June – 16 July 2023
MEDIA
Ceramics
Forms 2023
My artistic practice continually explores the intersection of personal identity, social structures and the ways in which women’s roles are shaped and constrained by societal expectations. This ongoing investigation explores the complexities surrounding gender identity, motherhood and the often conflicting pressures women face. These themes are particularly explored in my work ‘Forms’, which reflects my personal frustrations and challenges during motherhood, a period often accompanied by societal stereotypes, rigid gender norms and expectations of emotional and behavioural compliance.
In the process of creating, I engage with these imposed norms and deconstruct them through sculptural forms that evoke perfection only to disrupt it. The work begins with the creation of ‘ideal’ forms – perfect spheres – which are then subjected to various ‘destructive’ forces with the aim of deforming their perceived perfection. Through this process I embrace the fluidity of form and the beauty of imperfection, challenging the idealised images often imposed on women and their experiences. The deformations symbolise the rejection of socially constructed ideals of ‘perfection’ and ‘success’ that women, especially mothers, are expected to embody.
This work is a feminist exploration of resistance to the patriarchal and capitalist systems that limit women’s autonomy and define their worth. Rather than conforming to societal demands for perfection and success, I propose that deconstruction and failure can be acts of resistance, creating space for alternative forms of identity, expression and empowerment. My work is an invitation to critically engage with and challenge the gendered structures that govern our lives, exploring the complexity of the boundaries between artist and audience, and creating a dialogue that fosters an inclusive space for personal and collective transformation.
Using materials and processes that embody both structure and fluidity, I aim to create works that invite not only aesthetic contemplation, but also reflection on the broader social and cultural frameworks that shape our lives. The emphasis is not only on the final outcome, but also on the processes of creation and destruction as a form of reclaiming agency and offering new narratives within the context of contemporary feminist discourse.
Photos: Georges Engelmann ©