UNTITLED

I took these images using my iPhone, with LED panel lights with purple and pink gels. I created my own backdrop and edited in church details (stained glass windows), as well as childlike details (ribbons, porcelain doll, glitter, stickers, sequins, kittens). I wanted to parallel these playful embellishments with the faceless, posed character.

I have such a fixation of visual narration that presents the divine tethered with 'girlhood' to place comment on how virtuous young girls are expected to be - using angels as a metaphor for idealized girlhood. Being faceless means there is no facial expression - only colour expression. I deliberately chose poses that almost collapsed into itself - taking up minimal space, feelings of claustrophobia. Such rigid poses coupled with a blank face is a nod to the subconscious mimicry of dolls, and how teenage girls are seen as mannequins for the male gaze.