Camille Goulet

The work Women’s Weights is created from cast aluminum mops to create a “women’s version” of a dumbbell. The juxtaposition of a masculine object, created by what is considered women’s work, shows the hardships that come with being in charge of a household. “Women’s work” is viewed as easier and less important than masculine work. The idea that women’s roles are inferior to their male counterparts has created a skewed perception of women as weak, and lesser than men.

The piece is a reference to the 1950s idea of trophy wives; Women who were treated as if they existed only for display, yet carried the entire burden of the household and family. I want to bring to light these issues that still have a hold on women in modern times. The weights are figurative and literal of sense of the weight that these societal views hold. I create works that use these stereotypes to create objects that cannot be used for their true purpose any longer. By taking away their negative connotations of these tools, I hope to show that women have purpose beyond the expectations of society. My hope is by manipulating these recognizable household tools, I will relay to viewers these mundane objects still hold a weight to what a women’s place once was. 

My artwork showcases an exploration of the private realms & intimate spaces of people. With this work I wanted to discuss the way that certain parts of people’s personalities are not only private but also secret in fear of rejection from society. Being a Southern woman, I draw from the fear of not being the example of a perfect, pure woman whose standards have been etched into societal norms within the Bible Belt.

My photography focuses on personal identity that is hidden away from society because of societal pressures—especially pressures within the realm of religion. My images contain references to Christianity such as the Virgin Mary because she is exemplary of a perfect woman that is pure from sex, yet is still a mother. The taboo of sex is something I also discuss in my artwork. I like to show the idea that women can portray themselves as sexual beings without the implication that they are sexual objects for men—however, these sexual identities have to be kept in secret in fear of being rejected religious expectations. This also correlates with women still being expected to align themselves with religious and cultural expectations that imply a woman’s societal role is merely to be a wife and/or a mother. While we are allowed to have our careers and have to choice to pursue other options, there are still the looming ideologies and crushing societal pressures that imply women are not only lesser than, but also devoid of purpose without being placed alongside their masculine counterparts.