Exploring emotions and humanity has taken me to also explore other ways to express myself. I started a project called “Power within” which highlights the “magic” that each human has within to transform their own reality. In this project, I’m taking recycled vintage mannequin faces, bodies, and torsos, and transforming them into inspirational pieces of color and whimsical designs.
“Awaken” (2022)
Hand-painted vintage mannequin head
“Blossoming” 2023 – Hand painted recycled mannequin torso.
This piece was inspired by the courage of females around the world that face and confront the challenges associated with being a female in a predominantly patriarchal culture while maintaining and embracing feelings of self-worth, love, and resilience within. Women are more than just reproduction machines, and with this piece, I’d like to show that, besides ovaries, and despite the stigmas and the challenges that can break us in pieces, we can put ourselves together and show that there’s a whole other world of beauty, light, and hope within us, and it’s time for that side of us to blossom.
“Blossoming” 2023
“The two sides of me” 2023 – Hand painted recycled mannequin torso with sculpture features using recycled materials.
This piece is part of the UNBOUND exhibit curated by Meredith Connelly and displayed at The Charlotte Art League. It took me a long time to gather the courage to speak up. It took me a long time to find my way out of the darkness and heal. I’m now ready to let the light inside of me resurface. I’m a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and domestic violence from an ex-husband. My work “The Two Sides of Me” is inspired by my healing journey. I want to convey the duality of feelings that can affect trauma survivors. The constricting emotions of guilt, shame, and pain as well as those of hope, light, and healing. With this piece, I aim to help others to recognize and confront their own inner struggles and find the courage to seek the help they need.
“The two sides of me” 2023 – Hand painted recycled mannequin torso with sculpture features using recycled materials.
“Beautifully broken” 2023
This giant egg was part of the 2023 Charlotte SHOUT festival. I recreated my painting “Reflections of the full Moon” for this project.
There’s beauty and meaning, even in broken pieces. By using bright colors, deconstructed figures (giving the illusion of being broken in pieces but still together as a whole), and sharp contrast, I want to remind the viewer to take a step back and realize that small pieces can be beautiful individually and even if “broken” we are still part of a whole. One whole, constantly learning soul full of love, movement, and color.
Through colorful and whimsical deconstructed illustrations, I communicate the need to think outside societal labels and end stigmas associated with mental health. I challenge the viewer to search for emotions that might feel conflicting or foreign to them. Even when it’s uncomfortable to talk about, our mental health is as important as our physical health and that recognition and awareness are the first steps toward healing. Even if broken, you’re still beautiful.
“Breaking the mold” – Hand-painted vintage recycled mannequin torso with sculpture features using recycled materials and clay/foam clay- 2023
Breaking the Mold is a statement of resilience and courage. I created this piece for the Thrive exhibition which highlights art created by various artists while in both “thriving” and “non-thriving” states of mind with the purpose of bringing awareness to the importance of mental health and suicide prevention.
My inspiration came from the story of Medusa. She was a woman who was cursed by the Gods after being abused and sexually assaulted. She was condemned to a life of solitude and sadness. When I read her story, it made me think of what would’ve happened if Medusa had a support system? or someone who could’ve seen through her pain with love instead of fear? I know this sounds silly, as it a mythological story, but what if?
I think she would’ve felt the light within. I think she would’ve found the courage to break the mold. To break out of the stone that froze her heart. I think she would’ve thrived.
With this piece, I want to show that it is possible to thrive even when you’ve fallen into the darkest pit. The light within can set us free and break the mold that keeps our minds captive.
“Eternal Queen” – Hand-painted vintage recycled mannequin torso with sculpture features using recycled materials and clay/foam clay- 2023
Hand-painted vintage mannequin torso with sculptural features using recycled materials and clay/foam clay. Head materials: Recycled cardboard, aluminum foil, EVA foam, foam clay, recycled faux gold chain, hand-painted eyes. Collar: Foam clay, hand-painted details. Torso: Foam clay, hand-painted.
MG Napier 