Femininity in
Contemporary Art

As part of the Undergraduate Research Scholars Program 2022-23, I completed a series of works exploring the theme of femininity in contemporary art. This page shows the two large-scale paintings and the process behind them - the two largest pieces of work I completed during the program.

The research draws from Eastern European mythology, the writings of Clarissa Pinkola Estes, and the lived experience of existing between Lithuanian and Californian landscapes. I am very grateful for David Roy's mentorship and support throughout and after the program.

The work explores the representation of femininity in Eastern European mythology and its contemporary relevance. The composition is based on the Baba Yaga myth - in the Western world told through stories of an old, ugly woman who lives in the deep forest and eats children, but the original myth deals with much deeper themes of maturity, femininity, intuition, and growing into an independent person.

Her figure appears in the painting three times - first as she is coming out of fire carrying a baby, second as a hidden figure between the trees, and third in a body of water representing the unknown. The three scenes embody three stages in the life of a feminine in Eastern European mythology. The painting communicates through symbolic elements - color, shapes, imagery, elements of nature, fire and roots representing resilience and a strong spirit. The composition does not have a dedicated start or end point; it is up to the viewer to find themselves in the composition and define its narrative.

I focused on exploring nature as a feminine source. I challenged myself to create a figure-less painting, allowing nature and colors to speak for themselves. The work explores the depiction of femininity inspired by mythologies and their analysis in Clarissa Pinkola Estes' book "Women who Run with the Wolves" and her work "Untie the Strong Woman".

Colors speak most in this work. I chose to work with primary colors to convey the strength and meaning they carry, as well as to contrast those qualities. I allowed for water to blend with fire, for the sun - so distant - to be in direct relationship with the mountain - so still yet so dynamic. This work expands "Vasilisa's Journey", this time taking inspiration from Los Angeles and Californian nature.