If language shapes our thoughts and contributes to collective thinking which informs our beliefs and impacts our values and in turn questions biases then I WANT IN.
This new body of work, Chosen Words, is fair square, slap bang through my feminist lens.
I am a Gen X woman amazed and exhausted by navigating unrealistic gender expectations imposed by historical patriarchal systems within a society that upholds outlandish ideals of beauty, success and equality.
To initiate a personal reset I am drawing inspiration from rebellious young women musicians who sing unabashedly and boldly.
These works celebrate their fearless self-expression and honour their role as revolutionaries shaping a freer bolder future.
I am taking lyrics from their songs, layering with charcoal images and text to create playful, defiant, affirmations – a personal act of resistance and joyful tribute.
Look What You Made Me Do (2025)
76cm x 56cm
charcoal on paper
Look what you made me do.
Look what you made me do.
Look what you JUST made me do.
I selected lyrics from a Taylor Swift song steeped in reputation and retribution – a pop anthem turned personal reckoning. I scoured the matching film clip, layered with her sumptuous, self-referential visuals, and used it as a launchpad to create a drawing that engages directly with language as image, as structure, as force.
Be damned – this is a drawing, no more, no less.
Raw. Visual. Expressive.
A surface heavy with gesture, sculpting, and erasure.
It speaks. It demands. It won't be quiet.
Just Having Fun (2025)
76cm x 56cm
charcoal on paper
Just Having Fun are lyrics from Chappell Roan's song Pink Pony Club, which tells the story of the singer enjoying herself, dancing in heels at the Pink Pony Club.
What's not to like? DEFIANCE and DESIRE all wrapped up in a catchy tune.
In my artwork, I've omitted the word fun from the sentence – not because my drawing isn't – but because I want to highlight the word just.
Just is a hedging word.
Hedging words are those used to soften a statement, express uncertainty, or make speech more polite. Pop in a maybe, a sort of, even I think, I suppose, or it seems – and you're well and truly on your hedging way.
Women typically use this style of language to foster social connection, build rapport, and reduce confrontation. Linguistic strategies aside, cultures that prize assertiveness and directness often see those who hedge as indecisive, insecure, or apologetic (read as: women). Ironically, men who hedge are commonly seen as thoughtful or collaborative.
I was fangirling Chappell Roan well before she used the word just and if this is just having fun, then I'm just getting started.
Queen (2024)
76cm x 56cm
charcoal on paper
