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Artist Statement
Through a series of sculptures, I explore the female torso by abstracting it into fragmented forms. These sculptures reflect society's expectations and stereotypes of women, which depreciate or devalue women's moral experience.
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The omissions in the torsos are metaphors for the fragmented lives many women lead today. The viewers are in a position of power to complete the figure, reflecting on their own perceptions of women.
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Ultimately, my work aims to celebrate women and promote women's empowerment by challenging these societal norms.
Janice MacLean
Bio
Janice’s artistic creations intricately explore the feminine form through fragmented depictions, combining rustic texturing and patina finishes to add depth and character to each piece. She studied art, design and sculpture at Old Dominion University earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design.
Janice’s process involves skillfully combining slabs, coils and hand building techniques to create her sculptures. Furthermore, she adds a unique touch to her sculptures by finishing them in two distinct ways; some feature a rustic texture, while others are adorned with a patina, creating a weathered and aged appearance.
Janice’s sculptures serve as a reflection on the portrayal and expected roles of women in postmodern society. The symbolism of patina and weathered texture represents the gradual erosion and deprivation that women faced overtime, unable to pursue the roles they truly desired. The oxidation of the rust is metaphorical of how women were deprived and left to erode overtime because they couldn’t be active in the roles they desired.
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Medium
I chose this medium because I love the idea of bringing clay to life. Clay is very forgiving and can be easily manipulated. While in creative mode I can easily add clay to my sculptures or remove portions. I create my sculptures by making slabs or coils or a combination of both. Then I manipulate and sculpt the clay into the desired shape, forming my sculpture. The most important thing to keep in mind when working with clay is water and time.
