| MODIFIED
FLOWERS STATEMENT:
Modified Flowers, were produced based on photos and technical
illustrations of flowers, research of the healing properties of
flowering plants, and images and research of female body modification.
The flowers represented in the paintings were chosen because of
their medicinal properties relating to the female reproductive system.
I spent many hours reading about flowers and their healing
properties before picking up a paintbrush.
The female reproductive system can be
modified, changed, improved, enhanced and removed in many different
ways. The reproductive
system can also be healed in many different ways.
As I was researching the healing properties of flowers, I came
across an astounding number of flowering plants that are used to treat
various female conditions,
everything from contraception to abortion to infertility.
This thought of going back to nature has inspired my latest work
and contrasts perfectly with the idea of modifying the female body with
man-made materials. The floral images are modified in
various ways to symbolize women's choices and responsibilities regarding
their own bodies. The Modified
Flowers series consists of acrylic paintings on texturized wood and
canvas. The bold shapes,
vibrant colors, and strong, clean lines of the work contrast with the
delicate floral images. Some
of the things that inspire my work are somewhat controversial:
body modification, hormones in food, female genital plastic
surgery and mutilation. A
reoccurring image in my work is a flower bud that is being stretched and
forced open. The idea behind
this is to show the way a young girl may mature before her time.
Situations young girls may go through inspire this imagery: Also,
in some cultures, young girls are forced to endure painful removal of
portions of their genital area. Sometimes
sewing even takes place to prevent sexual activity among young females. |