Virginia Mallon / Fat Canary Journal

The "Goddess" body of work encompasses two distinct yet interconnected series: "Even in the Garden" and "Inner Beasts." Both critically examine the historical and contemporary roles of women, exploring the dynamics of power, societal influence, and identity.

 

Even in the Garden -  "Even in the Garden" deconstructs prevalent myths, biblical narratives, and fairy tales to investigate their portrayal of women's societal positioning. This series posits that these foundational, often fictive, accounts symbolically represent the erosion of feminine power and the emergence of patriarchal structures. Tracing its conceptual origins from antiquity to the present, "Even in the Garden" scrutinizes the persistence of antiquated ideologies within contemporary contexts. The title itself underscores the pervasive and historical vulnerability of women, suggesting that even in archetypal paradises, women have faced systemic challenges.

 

Inner Beasts -  "Inner Beasts" critically analyzes the pervasive societal conditioning that mandates female conformity from an early age. This phenomenon is exemplified by cultural dictates, such as those satirized in the film Barbie, which prescribe rigid standards of appearance and behavior.  Such prescriptive norms necessitate a form of "masking," wherein individuals conceal their authentic selves to mitigate scrutiny and adhere to prevailing social pressures. This series aims to reveal the underlying, often suppressed, authentic identities that exist beneath these performative facades.