As a Ukrainian-British multidisciplinary artist, designer, and photographer, I am keenly interested in art therapy, somatic and transdisciplinary approaches, and neuroaesthetics. I am delighted to submit my work for consideration, as exploring the intersection of performance to the camera and photographic self-portraiture is close to my heart. Throughout my 25 years of artistic practice, I have used photographs of my body and hand gestures as photo references and participated in performances to communicate my inner feelings and reflect on the topic. I had been involved in Contact improvisation and Five Rhythms groups and workshops and ran authentic movement classes. These experiences let me explore the link between body awareness and psychological experiences and explore the human condition, liminality, identity and perception. After experiencing traumatic events, this exploration became even more relevant to me as it led to physical symptoms. During the war in my homeland, Ukrai...
I think the way middle aged women are perceived in society is one of disdain, almost like 'how dare we', we only have value if we look young! youth is everything.
ReplyDeleteThe perception of how middle aged women are seen seems to be very variable. I do not sense the disdain you mention, but that may be because I am now older, and enjoying the invisibility that comes with that. I wonder if it is your expectation of your self that you look young? Do you dress for your own pleasure or for other people? Do you expect to be treated with disdain?
DeleteI do think there is slow improvement of the middle aged woman's perception amongst other women, woman to woman we are kinder to one another, but there is still an enormous amount of pressure for us to conform and capitulate to the daily bombardment of seeking youthful perfection. It feels like it is forbidden to grow old.
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