Bittersweet Femininity

Memphis TN, United States, 2024

Selected for Paint Memphis mural festival in Memphis Tennessee. Painted part of an underpass on city property for the festival.

Southern Magnolias, native to the southeast United States, represent several things. Their large aromatic flowers are a symbol of warm and welcoming Southern hospitality. In other cultures, the Magnolia tree represents feminine beauty and strength, and its’ ability to bloom in harsh conditions has made it a symbol of strength and resilience.

Bittersweet Femininity. I love being a woman, but sometimes it feels like the world is against us. Our rights being stripped away, harassment and assault, being judged for every decision we make, the list goes on. These things cause me anxiety, make me cry, scream, get angry, and even feel hopeless. What keeps me together is the strength brought on by the women around me. We are powerful when we stand together, have each others backs, and support one another. Just like a magnolia flower, we are beautiful, strong, and resilient.