The suppression and obedience of women has a long history in the fashion and advertising world and it was especially unchecked during the turn of the 20th century to the early 1960’s. During a time when the patriarchy’s reign was largely unquestioned, images of blissfully happy domesticated women were everywhere.

But lurking underneath these frenetic overtures was a burgeoning rebellion that would kick off the most transformative feminist movement in history.

As a former advertising Art Director, I found images of women, pre-feminist movement to be evocative and profound. I saw a passion for life and mysterious longing behind the docile smiles. Perhaps the flamboyant fashion with it’s adornments were an expression of a deeper more complex layer underneath. I became particularly interested in exploring the forbidden aspects of the female experience of that time period, with her unsuppressed subconscious, and noticed how that repeats itself today. I use collage materials made from the seductive and superficial imagery found in advertising and fashion magazines to juxtapose my paintings of women. I’m hoping to reveal a deeper more complex side to women at a time when being pretty and subservient was not only the norm it was the expectation.

Cabell Molina lives and works in Wilton, CT.