The Secretaries Painting

This painting speaks to the invisible labor of being a woman in the work and home space. The figures are intentionally painted partially incomplete or melding between the different spaces to suggest their absence, while also retaining their spirit and imprint in the home and work environments. Forged through the combination of two found photos, in one a group of women workers appear to pose for a picture at the end of the day. Their faces exhibit a range of expressions - quizzical, tired, and compassionate- which I tried to capture. In the second photo, an ordered and pristine office desk glows with sunlight pouring through the window. After synthesizing these images in the painting, I added in surreal elements of flowers growing throughout the space and actual lace blending into the curtains and clothing. These elements represent the handiwork and gardening of my female ancestors, whose legacy I encounter. The title speaks to the quality of a “secretary” keeping everything going and in order behind the scenes. I made this painting after encountering the dizzying quality of being a new parent (no time, always planning, cleaning, washing, feeding, tending). I was particularly shocked by the workload of mothering, in contrast to my life as an artist before having my now three year old son. This painting is a part of a series of works I’m making that depict rites of passage, aging, and work, in an attempt to revisit how personal and collective histories contribute to the formation of female identity. They emphasize the feminine spirit as one of fecundity, ephemerality, collaboration, and suffering.

Painting:Oil on Canvas

Original:One-of-a-kind Artwork

Size:27 W x 24 H x 2 D in

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