Many women lose their visual charm as they reach middle age. Many men do, too, I am sure, but culture tends to not ignore them quite as much. Many women feel compelled to change themselves artificially to stay on the visual radar and look "young." How often do middle aged women sport hair dyed the same fake blonde tone or wear clothes a wee bit youthful in an attempt to look younger? I don't see men jumping through such hoops. Women that age naturally begin to look like mothers, aunts, and grandmothers that we all knew growing up. What was straight may now be curved, what was smooth might be wrinkled. What looked young might look old. It is natural. Sharp features get softer. The bloom of youth fades in favor of, for some, hard won physical changes due to childbirth, hard work, and physical illness. It is all part of life. Our culture, though, insists that it is something for women to feel bad about, and to fight against, and to preserve -- encouraging women to hang on to any vestige of youthful beauty and push back the oncoming crone. This isn't to say aging woman can't be beautiful, well groomed, and well dressed -- it is just to say that as a woman ages and other aspects of life become more important, they can be marginalized and not noticed anymore, as women are still first and foremost judged by physical appearance. All that wisdom, experience, knowledge, and depth is often overlooked because the owner is no longer a knockout. Sad!
This exhibit questions the visibility of the average middle aged woman in society. Artist Linda Barlow examined this in a series of interesting quilted textiles, featured on Quiltartnews.com. Enjoy.
What will you make today?