Project 1 Zine + Artist Statement

Artist Statement:

In the development of my zine, I knew I wanted the process to be enjoyable, but also influential and meaningful. I decided to represent women - whether that was through feminism, womanism, uniqueness, the body, nature, etc. - I wanted to represent it all and demonstrate the natural beauty and power that women have. This project was insightful into the uncomfortableness and commodification of women's bodies. Even for me, as a woman, it felt strange to be illustrating and collaging body parts and symbols that are a part of who women are naturally, simply because of how our society has designated women as mere objects of affection and sexualization.

As I continued working on each page for my final zine, I felt some sense of liberation as my ideas came to life. They symbolized a sense of erotic that was not for the male gaze and pleasure, but rather for showing the strength, unique beauty and power that each woman has.

In order to clearly communicate this theme behind my zine, I employed images such as breasts, vulvas, uteruses, hair and more, as well as symbols such as the feminism symbol (female gender symbol with a fist inside), a [pussy] cat, hands holding, hearts, birds, sun/moon and more, as seen in my images above. As shown in the physical zine, the book is in the shape of the breasts pictured on the front, obviously situating the context right off the bat, as well as confronting the viewer with an image that is too often sexualized and seen as inappropriate. The back cover utilizes the 'Rising Woman Symbol', demonstrating again the power of women. It represents becoming whole while rising to your fullest potential; with the moon (divine feminine energy) eclipsing the sun (divine masculine energy), uniting these polarities. It shows alchemy and transformation.

Flipping through the pages, physically or digitally, I hope that the viewer finds a sense of liberation and joy, recognizing the power they have for life and the beauty that is inherently within them, despite the forces of the world that may fight to keep them down.

If the viewer cannot personally identify with these pages, I hope they have the openness and compassion to give thanks to someone that does, and recognize their beauty and power with them.