Conformity for the sake of….

My art is an expression of my beliefs and my frustrations. I was a creative arts teacher. I believe it is something that can soothe the soul and confront the audience. Conformity for the sake of... is an expression of my frustration of the current version of the Army Dress Manual. While men dream of beards, I dream of the return of red nails.

Women's fingernails were previously allowed to have shades of light pink through to dull red. The colours now have been reduced to 4 shades of pink.

In a society which is encouraging girls to deter from pink, I can't fathom the reason for this rule. Young girls are taught that they can be anything. They are taught they are more than pink stereotypes. To recruit these fearless young ladies to such a rule is going to be tough not just from a dress stance but a whole societal shift in culture.

This piece is an expression for change. It is for every woman who wears a uniform during the day, and at night, lays in bed and dreams of red nails - even just for a day.

This drawing is produced on an iPad in Procreate and printed on canvas.

Conformity for the sake.... will be on display at the Defending the Arts exhibition @ The Adelaide Fringe Festival 01-10 March 2023.

Please come along and support ADF artists and performers.