Voices Merged – Montages

This series of drawings of female heads explore feminine vulnerability; the power, the allure and in contrast, voices silenced through veil, because of culture and society. This work relates to personal experiences of being marginalised, growing in a space bonded with the typical cultural attitudes Asian men had towards women. Traditionally women’s voices were silenced and dominated by men, so the work draws upon such ideas, exploring how unspoken voices soon start to merge within. I can only speak of my own experience and growing up, often felt I was not able to voice my opinion, speak above elders or express my desires and emotions, so my sense of self was somewhat of a mystery. In this series, I am trying to express the internal and communal battles I have faced as an Asian woman in relation my feminine identity and sexuality.  The female heads are not self portraits but an idealistic feminine beauty, whose gaze alludes towards the voices merged within.