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Paying homage to Clementina, Lady Hawarden’s photography (British, 1822-1865), which focused upon women with their reflections in mirrors and windows either in pairs or solo, this installation utilizes vintage compacts in a study about the distorted internal and external reflections we often have of ourselves. Caroline Rust says she relates to the psychological content of Lady Hawarden’s work as an artist, as a female artist. She sees a dual longing in her models; a desire to be everything society dictates her to be, an attractive woman and yet there seems to also be a longing of another nature. In the 19th century a woman represented at a window was construed as cage, confined, and trapped. 
 

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