Phase Shifts

2022
Mixed Media Tryptic

“Phase Shift” is a triptych created for Exponent II’s “Menopause and Me” blog series, celebrating and discussing women’s journey through menopause. The women in this piece, shown with wrinkles and body fat, unapologetically take up space. They embrace this stage in their lives with an acceptance of the process and comfort in their bodies in a way that is often absent in media portrayals of older women. They are my meditation on aging, on familial ties, on the purpose of community, and how life and our connection to it and the divine changes as we age.

Surrounded by symbols of the divine feminine, including the waning crescent moon and serpents, these women are guided through their journey with ease. They take inspiration from the moon, embracing the natural shifts and phases of life. The matryoshka dolls reflect the wisdom of past generations who have navigated this stage of life, while also looking forward to sharing their knowledge with future generations. This wisdom is further embodied by the herbs depicted around them—plants known for their role in managing and alleviating menopausal symptoms. “Phase Shift” celebrates the beauty and resilience of menopausal women, honoring their experiences with acceptance and reverence for life’s natural transitions.