The Emotional Landscape
Internalised Misogyny captures the quiet, often invisible tension between the woman we’re expected to be and the one we’re becoming. On the surface, the figure appears composed – even passive – but that stillness holds weight. It reflects the emotional cost of learning to make others comfortable at the expense of our own expression. This painting sits in that subtle ache of self-denial – a whisper of rebellion against the pressure to be soft, agreeable, and small.
The Story of Creation
This piece emerged during a time of deep reflection. Unlike my other figures, this woman doesn’t stand in her power – she fades into the background. The earthy, neutral tones mirror the version of femininity I had been taught to embody: gentle, quiet, palatable. I layered the brushstrokes slowly and deliberately, each one carrying both hesitation and honesty. The process became a mirror, revealing the internalised expectations I was still holding onto, even as I was beginning to unlearn them.
Personal Connection
This painting represents a pivotal stage in my artistic evolution – the first time I allowed myself to sit with discomfort and contradiction without rushing to resolve it. At the time, I was deep in the process of unlearning: the belief that my worth was tied to how well I conformed, how pleasing or non-threatening I could be. This painting became a space where I could honour the parts of myself I had hidden – the uncertain, invisible, hesitant parts – and allow them to simply exist.
Though my style has since grown more expressive and empowered, this piece remains a cornerstone. It reminds me that healing doesn’t always look like power reclaimed; sometimes it’s quiet recognition, a soft refusal, a whispered truth. And that too is powerful.
Display recommendations
Size: 39.5” x 32”
Medium: Acrylic paint on canvas
This artwork, with its earthy tones and layered brushstrokes, can be displayed in a space that invites introspection, allowing viewers to connect with its emotional depth. Position it against a neutral or soft-toned wall to enhance its grounding focus on the tension between self-expression and societal expectations. Soft lighting will accentuate the textured details, emphasising the complexity beneath the surface and creating a reflective atmosphere.