Overlay

The chapter in Overlay on feminism and pre-history presented some ideas that relate well to my project. My first series, "Natural Beauty", commented on women's social issues and represented the female form. Long, natural hair was also a metaphor for the earth and it's capacity to sustain and heal itself. My later series dealt with reclamation and the power of nature as well as the negative impact of mankind on the earth.

In Overlay, Lippard writes, "women artists have emphasized the earth vicitmized and fighting back" (52). These female artists often relate this to their own experience as a woman being dominated and vulnerable in a patriarchal society. I didnt consciously intend this in my own work. However, I can draw parallels between my commentary on women's issues and mankind's mistreatment of nature.

The "Natural Beauty" series addressed, among other things, the unrealistic standards of beauty for women. I intended for my viewer to miss the deeper significance of the work as a woman is often overlooked based on her appearance. These beauty standards for women in our society are encouraged ultimately by men.

My hair represents a rebellion against these standards in the way I let it grow untamed and refuse to damage it with harsh chemicals and heat appliances in a vain attempt to be more attractive. Likewise, the earth fights back against the damage of mankind inflicting order upon its so-called chaos. My "Reclaiming" series represents this rebellion and the "Orange" series shows the pollution that results from the abuse of nature.

Another quote from Lippard, which I read in class, sums up this problem well:

"Our civilization has placed cement between us and the earth, pollution between us and the sky, technology between us and the seasons. We have lost our rural/matriarchal connection with natural phenomena, and its resurrection seems less and less likely in an increasingly urbanized world" (45)