My accidental life

hyperallergic:

Cynthia Evans In collaboration with Ana Aguilar, “Delilah” (2012), mixed media. 

Men with hair has been a symbol of power for a long time. Beards have represented a strong burley man, a man’s man. However, when looking at the power structure between men and women, there is an obvious shift. We have seen bearded women from time to time, yet they have always been ostracized and looked at as a freak of nature or a sideshow of sorts. Through this project, we are looking to the bearded woman as more of a strong individual, one who has taken that male essence and power and become stronger and fierce. We looked to the bees as a sign of community and a female collective. By wearing this bee beard, each woman has taken on a new persona, Delilah, and embraces a new sign of individuality, community, and strength.

In casting over 300 real bees (collected from a honey farm in Fabens, TX), we intended to show that even though it is all one community, one source, they are all cared for as individuals; shaped, polished and created as individual pieces of jewelry that when combined create a whole with a greater purpose.

SEE MORE IMAGES ABOUT THIS PIECE HERE