Matriarchs

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Matriarchs investigates women and their relationship to the home through presenting empowered, feminine creatures ruling over their domestic domains. Comprised of body parts and domestic furnishings, such as fingers, afghans, stuffed animals and butcher knives, the anonymous "women" are presented as strong, powerful, alluring and threatening guardians ready to jump into action. While often inflicting pain upon themselves, these martyrs sacrifice for, and gain their power from, their homes and families. The hand-cut imagery is culled from how-to craft manuals and magazine publications that portray idealized women, such as Women's Day, Good Housekeeping, Martha Stewart Living, Vogue, Playboy and Hustler, from the 1960's through today.