ABOUT PROJECT VISAGE
Women throughout history have waged relentless battles for their rights—from suffrage to financial independence, and more recently, again, autonomy over their own bodies. Yet, the older women who spearheaded and sustain these struggles, the matriarchs who weave the fabric of our shared history, remain some of the most underappreciated and invisible members of society. This raises the question: Why does society diminish the power, badassery, and capability of older women, viewing them differently as they accrue wrinkles and wisdom? As I approach my 60s, this question occupies my thoughts daily.
With this personal series, I celebrate and empower women. I aim to feature 20 women—friends and those I've long admired from a distance. These women represent the countless others we encounter daily, whose presence is pervasive yet often overlooked. I invite viewers to see older women through a new lens, recognizing their profound contributions, achievements, and indomitable spirit, and to reconsider their roles in shaping our current society.
These works draw inspiration from my upbringing in New York City, echoing the imagery of fashion posters that once could be found all over subway walls— magnificent, yet weathered and torn by time and layers of graffiti, gaining intriguing depth over time. Much like the women they honor, these paintings gain intrigue and depth and demand attention. Unlike the fashion ads and posters from the subways celebrating designers who cater to societal norms, I will spotlight these formidable older women, juxtaposing their images with designer logos. Each canvas will be richly layered with text, lyrics, graffiti, and visual elements, echoing the textured and collaborative nature of the original subway artworks and my 'Subway Sonnet' series, thereby creating a tapestry that weaves past influences with present narratives.
Through this endeavor, I seek not only to pay homage to these remarkable women but also to challenge and shift societal perceptions, celebrating the beauty, strength, and wisdom that come with age.
Contact: Susan@susanwashingtonfineart.com
Instagram: @susanwashingtonart
I am fascinated witnessing the gradual realization of my vision and giving it room to evolve naturally.
The journey of creativity begins the moment we converse, fueled by a vibrant energy and a deep connection. We engage in discussions about the project, reflecting on how age influences us, giving us strength, power and wisdom. We explore strategies to combat ageism against women. I capture their portraits in my studio using my iPhone. I use Photoshop, spending days fine-tuning the background and elements other than the face. I don’t touch the face.
The process evolves as I transfer the image onto a prepped canvas using an ink transfer method. After wetting the canvas and removing the paper, I use my oil sticks, paints, spray paints, and various other mediums to commence painting. The inspiration might stem from powerful lyrics, quotes, or imagery that resonate with the essence of the woman portrayed.
I am eager to showcase these larger than life portraits in a large exhibition next year. My aim is to challenge viewers and prompt them to reconsider their perceptions of aging within society.
Hearing empowering anecdotes and stories from women brings me immense pleasure. I've been maintaining a journal to document these narratives, recognizing their profound impact. I aspire to share these stories to highlight the inherent strength and fierceness within us, hoping to alter perceptions and inspire future generations.
A sample of a few of the portraits taken that are being turned into mixed media paintings……
