When Insecurities Surface
This project explores the tension between societal expectations and personal identity, particularly as they relate to the experience of being a woman. It delves into themes of vulnerability, restriction, and the pervasive influence of stereotypes, using visual and tactile elements to evoke the emotional weight of these struggles.
OVERLOOKED confronts the suffocating weight of societal expectations placed on women, where identity is shaped and obscured by external narratives. Chains, tears, and forced softness reveal the emotional exhaustion of navigating visibility, worth, and restraint.
Through creating this work, I recognized how societal treatment has shaped me to become more cautious and reserved, particularly in how I navigate being seen by men, often suppressing parts of myself to fit expectations. The newspaper-wrapped head represents the overwhelming weight of societal narratives, while the pink tears express the pain and frustration of navigating imposed roles. The word OVERLOOKED across the eyes speaks to the invisibility caused by stereotypes, and the heavy chain choker symbolizes restriction and suffocation. Finally, the pastel flowers at the base juxtapose beauty and fragility, reflecting how society demands perfection while disregarding women’s struggles.
