I am working on a new project loosely called ‘Old Bags’ – that awful expression used to describe older women (in the UK). This is intended to be a tongue-in-cheek reclaimation of the phrase and will be a personal reflection on how the world sees women post-50.
Handbags are something that almost all women carry and can be seen as a sort of comedy item – just another way to denigrate women I think. This project is intended to be a reflection on those attitudes.
I am also working with other older women – and they are oh so impressive women! I hope to do them justice with their own ‘old bag’. I want to use all the bags to make an installation eventually.
The image is a glass painting – it has gone through many firings and features vitreous paint and enamel. The image is also plated with a piece of glass with a glass paint called ‘frosted clear’ on it. This has helped to make the image more ‘readable’ in the bag. It is backlit with a small light panel and there will be items in the bag that represent influences in my life. For instance a phone will be included that was inspired by the fact that I am always on call as a carer for my mum. She lives in a care home but is highly dependent and I am called on often to make decisions on her care. It is a relentless responsibility that has been ongoing for 15 years with no sign of end.
The bags are made into light boxes and i have learnt the rudiments of leather work to create the apertures that the glazing sits in. This is another bag in progress.
Watch this space for the finished product!
