V.M.BEE

Artist Statement – 7 December 2013

My grandfather would disapprove of any milk that wasn’t labeled as ‘whole,’ saying that it wasn’t any better than water. 1%, 2%, & the lowest being FAT-FREE, or “sissy milk, the milk for women.” Think of the nurturing wholesome milk of advertisements: milk & cookies for Santa, or a warm glass of milk for nightmares. Or, the way the word MILK smoothly melts into SILK, & it becomes a desirable quality… “her milky white skin” &, the obvious association with milk being feminine, women giving their babies their own milk, then being told to buy it in other varieties (almond, organic, rice) throughout their lifetimes for nutrition, weight loss, or health.

Then words that seems so opposite of milk: INFERTILE, BARREN, UNFRUITFUL, BLEAK, DESOLATE. I’ve begun exploring the complex emotions of women close to me that are childless—specifically, women who have either regretted the decision to not have children, have terminated a pregnancy, or whose own bodies do not allow for procreation regardless of other desires & hopes.

Dead dried flowers & destroyed found lacy thrift store lingerie being enveloped by milk or various ingredients used for baking, start to develop into new terrains, maps & landscapes to be navigated.