Michelle Roy Images

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Killer Cook

This apron is my reaction to assigned female gender roles. It is my version of the tuxedo shirt, humorously worn by guys that prefer comfortable clothing over conforming to traditional norms. A feminine black, retro style apron was used to signify rebellion of traditional gender roles. The stenciling was inspired by the political graffiti artist Banksy.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Male Pedestrian

Many women I've spoke with have received unwanted attention while walking in public. Objectifying remarks and surveillance are common experiences. This installation explores the technique of using role reversal to provide the viewer with a new perspective on the issue. The woman from Female Sign has been replaced with a male who is receiving unwanted attention from stronger more aggressive sub-characters. How does the viewer feel about men who appear vulnerable and fiscally objectified?

Female Pedestrian

This installation was created to tell my experience when objectified in public. I chose to use sewing as the medium to reclaim my identity as well as signify a lack of evolution in terms of flirtatious games. Cat calls are commonly justified as a compliment though often it is unwanted attention. Most women I know prefer "Good morning" over "I know what I'd like to do to that." "The text, inspired by Burgers' Ways of Seeing reads, "I just want to 'be,' not 'be seen as," "desirable, but not coveted," and "to be loved but not for my body."

Joy

This image was created as a reaction to consumer driven advertising. I wanted to get the idea out there that there was an "other ideal" where women can have wrinkles, be happy and unapologetically embrace their aging appearance.

Joy at Art Miami 2011.

Joy at Cane Fest 2011.

Floor Mat

This installation was inspired by Judy Chicago and Miriam Shapiro's Woman House from the 1970's. The text repeatedly states "I didn't want to make a big deal." The concept stems from conversations that asked "At what point is it more important to take care of myself instead of others?" It was created in the shape of a breast, as a symbol of the ultimate form of self sacrifice.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Fear is my Biggest Enemy

This video was created to show a heroic example of female coping mechanisms. This particular piece was inspired by my grandma's epiphany while staying at a casino hotel and panicking because she was unable to stand up from a low seat. The next morning she was so sleepy she got up with out thinking. Her realization was that fear was her greatest enemy. Later that day she handed over her walking cane and with assistance climbed up my cousin's ATV and went for a ride through a steep and bumpy forest. It was inspiring to see her taking unusual risks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sryhhECniG8

Life Gave Me Lemons

This video was created to tell the story of world ranked tennis star Judy Flook who uses humor and love for music to cope in stressful situations. The idea came as a reaction to the multitude of pop-culture entertainment that is infused with negative role models and lack of positive coping mechanisms.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DilcwjWJrx8

Expand Your Potential: Beauty

My work is about creating positive examples of coping mechanisms. This piece was designed to sell a true lifestyle. It is a reaction to modern marketing that sells fictitious lifestyles through consumption.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Claire Hunt and the Christmas Tale

This image was inspired by my grandma's older twin brothers. It was Christmas Eve in the 1920's. Teenagers Ray and Len were running through the house with shot guns yelling "We saw Santa. He just flew over the neighbor's roof." They ran out the front door, shooting off their guns and claiming to have shot one of the reindeer.