Fish Bowl

While doing research for this book, the topic of a woman’s ‘biological clock’ was frequently mentioned. In my attempts to understand this natural occurrence and reconcile it with the new reality of a modern woman’s desire to control her destiny through more education and a responsible career experience; it suggested to me that at some point in her life a woman will reach an age when she may feel as though she is living in a “fish bowl” environment.

I created this painting to express how a lot of young adult woman feel as family members are looking over their shoulder wondering IF / WHEN she will finish her education? Wondering what career decision she will make? Asking when will she marry and have children? Her biological clock is ticking. Everyone is wondering will there be a man in her life (shirt and tie). She wants one, but she keeps noticing the lipstick on his collar never seems to match hers.

At the bottom of the fish bowl, under the sea shell, she still retains her choice. The 3 broken triangles symbolize the former iron triangle: marriage, sex and child. The iron triangle is broken apart and rests at the bottom of the fish bowl.

[For this painting I was influenced by Roy Lichtenstein and Salvador Dali.]