ARTIST STATEMENT
Well Behaved Women Don’t Make History explores how the non-conformality of gender roles throughout history have revolutionised the foundation of society. Gainsborough deviated from societal normality in the way that he depicted women. His paintings have been recontextualized and conflated with white text to display social expectations of women. Symbols within the gilded frames represent the cruel and unjust lives women were subjected to. The portraits confined inside the frames are a visual allegory for how women were stuck with no escape in a patriarchal society. Despite the progress of society, prejudice still remains, but we can stand against it. Together.
ARTWORK PROCESS
Specific Gainsborough paintings were recontextualised with text and drawings to convey the continual push for women's advocacy. Clay molds were imprinted with domesticated and symbolic personal objects and filled with plaster to create frames that were painted black with gold embellishment to entice the viewer to look closer at the imagery. The pictures’ frames were experimented with until the desired visual effect was achieved. The artwork was initially exhibited without a black backing which looked unfinished. A black backing and glass panels add to the old world glamour of the work but also the patriarchal values that still exist.
