CAROLINE RUST

ARTIST STATEMENT 

Growing up in the 1970s with parents emerging from the unfolding equal rights movement, I enjoyed many freedoms that females before me were not able to enjoy or discover. One such, seemingly minor liberty was toy selection; my parents did not pressure me in my preference. Both the garbage truck and the doll were acceptable options. So I determined that Charlie’s Angel Dolls were more appealing than Barbie Dolls. Always stylish and chic, the Angels were beauty and brains wrapped in one package. They seemed to have potential to participate in more activities; fun activities expanding their horizons and working with boys.

My artwork investigates the internal lives of women. Based upon a foundation exploring femininity and its evasive characteristics, the work’s emphasis has unfolded into a deeper examination of the woman’s pursuit for identity. Current work focuses upon the woman’s journey through life and her search for a deeper understanding of herself.  Interested in the paths and routes of women, it is my goal to deepen the public's perception of women and the feminine world.

Most of my works at present are installations. They are multifaceted; made up of fragments acting as variations upon a theme or alternatives of a singular subject matter. Similar to words in a sentence, each individual piece in an installation is an essential part to the whole and the totality of the grouping depends upon the relationship between these parts. Much like our individual histories, these installations and series are carefully layered with meaning through the integration of a variety of media – paint and fibers – and items like gloves, lipsticks, and demitasse cups, compacts, locks, miniature china plates. Through a study of objects which play roles in women’s lives, I aim to share a new landscape with viewers about women; a different type of history about women, their inner worlds when juxtaposed to their things.

Traditionally women have been conditioned to not be overly or outwardly emotional or self-focused. Etiquette typically has obligated women to calm predictability and societies restricted her to controlled paths. As modern women recover from these and other cultural stigmata, I study what it means to be a woman, a girl, a female. What are her characteristics? What does she feel and what are her needs and wants? How much strength and weakness must she show, must she hide? To tackle these questions, I look to the past for influence and have drawn inspiration from various historical female figures. It is the woman who chooses to take the path least taken, the path of more resistance, the path against the pressures of society who moves me. Empathetic to women who wrestle with the societal impact of their times, cultures and their individual obstacles; by learning about their personalities and stories I am able to better understand the woman’s search for a sense of self. I stand in awe of their strength to value their competence and their ability to find confidence to develop and nurture the expression of these abilities.

This is an evolutionary time in our world for women; in addition to the U.S. and the West, many countries abroad are pushing the envelope. The divide between gender roles is increasingly narrowing in business and the home.  As women evolve and move forward, I feel strongly that we must not forget femininity and those influential females that came before. Their victories, no matter how small or large, internal or external are our victories.
  
Women Who Inspire Me
These women, with an internal power and drive, help strengthen me with the knowledge and discovery of their shear bravery, courage, and steadfast devotion to live their lives by their terms while in the pursuit of a goal.

Alice Paul
Artemisia Gentileschi
Azar Nafisi
Barbara Streisand
Camille Claudel
Charlie’s Angels
Clara Schuman
Clementina Maude Hawarden
Cyndi Lauper
Diana, Princess of Wales
Elizabeth Tudor
Emily Carr
Emmeline Pankhurst
George Sands
Joan of Arc
Josephine Bonaparte
The Lady of the Silent Pool
Lysistrata
Maya Angelou
Natalie Merchant
Pat Benatar 
Pocahontas
The Suffragettes
Sylvia Plath
Tori Amos
Virginia Wolfe
Wonder Woman