BFA, Studio Art (Painting and Drawing)

Artist Statement

The standard story of female adolescence usually involves many milestones: first period, first bra, first kiss. Although women may relate to these experiences, the narrative also ignores the nuanced complexities that underlie “girlhood”. Girls grow up in a society that is oversaturated with depictions of unattainable femininity while still in the midst of childhood. Once becoming preteens, many girls no longer want to be seen as children and instead rush to identify with these manufactured ideals of womanhood. 

Girlhood explores humorous yet poignant scenes in the lives of young girls navigating their sexuality, emotions, and changing environments. Many of these scenes are far from extraordinary, focusing instead on mundane moments that reflect the inner struggle of girls trying on womanhood for the first time. This may also manifest in the shared rituals of adolescent girls, such as painting nails or brushing hair. The “female experience” can be shaped by these intimate shared moments between girls rather than focusing on exclusionary biological milestones. 

The figures are often clumsy and unproportioned, reflecting the overall awkwardness of a growing body during adolescence. The girls dominate the composition to the point of being uncomfortable. This is also played with through material application within a limited composition. The smaller scale of the pieces aims to heighten the feeling of closeness and intimacy between the viewer and the narrative. 

While I base many of the scenes on my own experiences, this is not an autobiographical series. Rather, my ultimate goal is to connect with others regardless of gender, race, or age. I am hoping the audience feels empathy and perhaps even some love for these girls. While we may look back at our younger self with shame, we must instead practice compassion and set an example for the preteens of today.