I never felt I was raised to do without, but I realized other girls had child-sized versions of traditionally feminine objects, like dressing tables or play kitchens. My desire to possess some of those indicators of traditional femininity led me to collect items, resulting in these versions of "Vanity" and my chair series.
As a child, I was fascinated by the idea of owning a beautiful vanity, inspired by cinematic images of women preparing for significant events at their luxurious dressing tables. I selected culturally insignificant materials and transformed them into a sparkling, diamond-like surface with broken glass. While the vanity appears radiant and reflective, it cautions against self-admiration; the glass surrounding the mirror is sharp and fractured. The mirror is further referenced in the glass-encrusted spaces between the steel chair's legs, creating a hazardous experience for anyone attempting to view themselves. This arrangement also produces the illusion of a void at the center of the piece.
Wood, glass, mirrors, steel, 54" x 30" x 24”, 2012
Vanity's Playground
