CPS All-City Visual Arts Exhibitions

Teacher Name: Denise Barba
Grade: 12

Materials: iPhone camera and editing apps
Dimensions: 8” × 12”
Description: While there are many positives to being a woman, I was inspired by the struggles women face on a daily basis. The expressions and phrases are important as they are universal struggles. There was key importance in how the words were positioned and how these hardships will almost always control and contribute to a woman’s lifestyle. Hence why the string of hardships is hanging from a woman’s hand. There is a juxtaposition between having the power within a woman’s hand and her controlling these hardships when in reality they control the woman.

Artist Statement: With my influences from the connection to my background and the aspects of being a woman in society, I focus on the themes of womanhood, the societal challenges of women, education, villainization, rights, validation, youth, purity, and innocence. I am hoping to achieve and express the challenges and emotions from a woman’s point of view and change the trajectory of the conversation. I want these works to make the audience think, whether it be something they relate to and have experienced or by seeing a different perspective and learning about other stories and experiences. I explored different techniques within photography and editing; overlaps, blurs, and exposure. While the same media was used, each photo conveyed a specific meaning and significance. I incorporated words, figures, and objects that would help establish a relationship with the viewer because it could have special meaning to them and each artwork tells a different story; fear, negativity, beauty, innocence, maturity, etc. Each artwork tells a story about the experiences and insight of womanhood. It also exposes the beauty yet defeating image of being a woman. I want my audience to be able to relate or simply feel for women and their struggles while also appreciating them. There is a special significance in the art I chose and each artwork frames the normalized society for women.