Staircase of Feminine Empowerment

Staircase of Feminine Empowerment

Sallie Chope and Natalie Hart

The staircase of feminine empowerment: Based on a Lena McCarthy street mural named 





Sallie-  "Power",  this wearable sculpture explores the progress of female empowerment and the oppression that continues to stunt the growth of that power. Composed of over 20 moving steps made out of plywood and Rolex paper, this material speaks to the difficult steps that women have taken. 

The staircase of feminine empowerment is inspired by 'Power,' a Central Square mural by Lena McCarthy that represents, as she quotes,  "what feminine power would look like." She does this through portraying thriving plants and flowers in many vibrant colors that take the spotlight. The natural symbols are meant to portray the life and growth of feminine power. The wearable sculpture staircase of feminine empowerment compliments this message by demonstrating the challenge of overcoming long-lasting oppression to strive for equal opportunity, dignity, and empowerment. Past difficulties and reversals are embodied within the spiral shape of these steps which vary in size, and their movement which allows them to fall slanted. This simulates how many efforts in the past have been difficult and dwindled through the fallen staircase. Steps are attached to a flexible wire that supports the frame of the staircase and allows it to extend above the model's head, to show that this fight for full equality is not over.