RuthAnonymousWomanView2

This mixed media artwork is a portrait of a woman cabbie from the 1940s. I worked with acrylic paint to portray the woman. In the background I created stripes of 23k gold leaf to emphasize the pride and memory of this woman who embraced changing social norms. I also chose actual gold leaf as a way to literally speak of her value and worth. It’s a means to honor her and speak to the irony of being documented by a photographer but not worthy enough of documenting her name.

I then embroidered the pattern on her coat inspired by vintage fabric patterns as another way to give her time and honor her memory. I worked with traditionally decorative or “female” materials as another means to celebrate this unknown, unsung woman.