Mother of Pearl (2023)

The inspiration for this series arose from my fascination with the material mother-of-pearl’s innate qualities, a radiant material that originates from the shells of mollusks. The beautiful, iridescent material is meticulously layered over time in response to the intrusion of external elements. Similar to the literal interpretation of the name, “motherhood” is a transformative odyssey, characterized by the intricate layers of experience and emotion women undergo as they nurture and protect their children. Each layer of nacre symbolizes a distinct facet of womanhood. Within my drawings, I dive deep into the connection between motherhood and what it means to be a woman and a mother, weaving together my personal narratives of a woman’s sacrifice, lavishness, and upbringing.




Graphite pencil on paper