What makes a monster and where do they come from? These creatures are capable of bringing extreme horror and delight. The otherworldly nature of their existence is what makes it so easy to forget, they come from us. Monsters are a vessel to transform our anxiety, shame and curiosity into entertainment and art.

 

In my own artwork I have created a monster to give body to the feelings and emotions that consume my life. There is a profound, uncomfortable, lingering presence that I and many other women know so well; the male gaze. Which is the male societal expectation of how women should look or behave. These expectations are ultimately rooted in one thing, whether or not a woman is sexually attractive enough. This belief can quickly become an obsession with the desire to be hyper-feminine and cause damage to women’s mental health.

 

My monster is a creature made of moss that grows and consumes my body within each artwork. The nature of the monster is not only to take over, but to highlight states of intimacy. These works are tied together with green embroidery thread that creates texture and a desire to touch the piece. Using this desire further pushes the idea of the objectifying lens of the male gaze slowly consuming my figure.