As an artist, I often find myself reflecting on my past experiences and emotions through my art. Many of my art series are based on events or feelings from my teenage years or my twenties. It's interesting to see how these emotions and experiences still affect me today and how they come out and are projected on the canvas, in my artwork.
Creating art series allows me to dive deeper into a particular topic or feeling and explore it in more depth. It also allows me to create a body of work that is connected and tells a story. My art series are personal journeys that not only help me process my emotions but also offer a glimpse into who I am as a person and the things that I care about. Artists are philosophers with a brush, perhaps that would make a great topic for a future blog.
I have always been fascinated by the relationship between women and their cars. Growing up on Staten Island, NY, for us teenage boys, we couldn't wait to get our licenses and wheels so we could finally be free to come and go as we pleased, and it was very important for us to purchase a car that reflected our image, mainly to attract girls or the girl we liked as well as the respect you gained among your male friends. At the time, I never really stopped to consider the perspective of a young teenage girl that likewise was getting her license. What did it mean for her? Was it the meaning and same experience as us guys? Surely for women and young teenage girls the privilege of driving must be different. I pondered on this notion, and reflected on the question of what driving means for women, the experience of driving and being free in her mobility is not self evident historically, and not a privilege all women enjoy everywhere in the world today. My latest art series, "Women & Their Cars," explores the deep correlation between freedom and mobility and what that means for women across the world.
In many parts of the world, cars are synonymous with personal freedom and mobility, allowing individuals to travel quickly and easily from one place to another. This is particularly true for women, who have historically been limited in their mobility due to cultural and societal barriers. For many women, owning a car represents a newfound sense of independence, providing them with the freedom to travel on their own terms, without being restricted by public transportation schedules or requiring a male chaperone. However, not all cultures and societies are as accepting of this freedom. In Saudi Arabia, for example, women were prohibited from driving for many years due to religious and cultural reasons. It wasn't until 2018 that the Saudi government lifted this ban, allowing women to drive for the first time in decades. The decision was met with much resistance from conservative religious authorities, who argued that allowing women to drive would lead to increased immorality and a loss of societal values. The fact that religious authorities in Saudi Arabia understood the link between freedom and mobility is a testament to just how powerful cars can be as a symbol of personal liberation.
Through my work, I hope to inspire women everywhere to embrace their own sense of freedom and mobility, owning a car, taking a road trip, or simply venturing out into the world on their own terms. In many places around the world women still face numerous obstacles and challenges, the ability to move freely and independently is a crucial element of personal empowerment. And as my art series will show, there is no better way to celebrate this freedom than through the simple joy of driving a car.
To learn more and keep up with my series Women & Their Cars click on the link https://www.marcoalexart.com/women-their-cars
Comments