Artist Statement

I was captivated by the ceremonial rite of passage my daughter experienced when she got her first menstrual period. Her Native American culture celebrated her as sacred. She was recognized, validated, and empowered. Because of this experience, my daughter understands that she has power as a woman. Not just the power to give life through her womb but the power to have influence and agency. And she recognizes that she has the responsibility to play an active role regarding the health and safety of the community. She understands how important it is to be thoughtful and intentional about her impact. She has respect for her body, and demands that others respect it too. Empowerment, validation and celebration, that was not how I or any woman I know experienced their first menstrual period. Instead for most of us, this experience is often negative and embarrassing.

This exhibition is about the powerful impact her experience had on me as her mother, and what it showed me about my own cultural experiences. Using this completely imaginative story and imagery, my intention with these portraits is to inspire more intentional and meaningful cultivation of healthy cultural norms and experiences around valuing our bodies, especially with regard to how we express these values to our children.

As a white woman, I am incredibly grateful that my daughter’s Native American culture gave her such a beautiful and meaningful experience. This exhibition is about the powerful impact her experience had on me as her mother, and what it showed me about my own cultural experiences.