ELDERHOOD
ELDERHHOOD is a social change project that began as an exploration of my own questions about life as a middle-aged, post-menopausal women. I hope it will grow into a powerful movement aimed at reshaping how society views mature women.
Inspired by my own life experiences and those of women in similar stages, I am motivated to challenge the invisibility and undervaluation faced by women post-menopause.
Through a series of larger than life, full-body portraits, head-dresses and public programming, gatherings and workshops, the project will celebrate the wisdom, power, and strength of women as they transition into the stage of ‘Elder.’
This project asks a critical question: What is the role of women after menopause, retirement and motherhood?
As our current culture often fails to value their experience, this project seeks to draw from our past cultures where Elders were looked up to and respected, aiming to migrate our description of older women from “elderly” to “Elder.”
Artwork Concept
At the core of ELDERHHOOD is a series of larger-than-life, full body portraits of women from Australian regional towns. These portraits will be adorned with magnificent head-dresses that symbolise the knowledge, wisdom, and life experience that these women embody.
These artworks will initially form an exhibition, which draws inspiration from ancient figures such as the Cailleach, a powerful Scottish being revered in pre-Christian traditions, and other symbols of feminine power and wisdom.
The project celebrates these Elders as modern-day equivalents, reclaiming the space they deserve in society.
ELDERHHOOD will empower women to know they have something special to offer, even after they have raised a family or reached retirement age.
The project is a way to bridge intergenerational divides. It will provide role models for youth, who feel they have little to no guidance from people other than their parents.
Empowering 'Elders' to offer wisdom and guidance will empower both the Elder and the Youth.
Participants will benefit from the empowerment offered from being part of this project.
The project will alter the way we see and think about older women.
By running an event where youth are invited to adorn the portraits in the gallery, they will quite literally be looking up to the Elder portraits.
This project will start a conversation about what it means to be an 'Elder'.
MAIN ELEMENTS OF THE PROJECT:
Conversations with Elders
Documentation
Exhibition - Portraits, Neon art, Sculpture
Adorning Day
Street Art
Projection Art
Public programming workshops
Screen printed wearable art