10" X 20" X 30" bronze and distressed gold leaf 2014

photo by Will Michels

SUFFRAGE - March 3, 1913

Riding aside historically represents oppression of women's rights. Suffragette Inez Milholland rode astride in the 1913 ride/march on Washington. Inez was not only protesting for the right to vote, own property, to sue, but to also to ride astride.

This is my first piece of work that addresses the women’s movement. It first resonated with me purely from an aesthetic point of view, as I knew the aged leather would reproduce beautifully in bronze. What I did not realize, however, was that this sculpture would represent more than a stereotypical Texas western symbol. In my women’s movement body of art it represents the strength of Victorian women and the beginning of the women’s movement, the March 3, 1913 suffrage parade in Washington.

suffrage

Torn billets - whisper tales

of antiquated sexual expectations.

A single iron slipper stirrup - weighs

of masculine oppression.

A lower pommel - lames

fashionable Victorian feminist.

The crackled and distressed girth - surrenders

the scars of suffrage rides.

Riding aside - symbol

of suffrage