SAY WHEN

In my series, Say When, self-portraits explore the complexities of romantic relationships in women’s early to mid-twenties, focusing on the intersections of autonomy, desire, and the pervasive influence of contemporary media. Images capture vulnerability, empowerment, and the ongoing negotiation of boundaries and identities, reflecting a time of fluctuating ideals of femininity and sexual explicitivity. Social platforms like Instagram and TikTok only further drive these dynamics, often blurring the lines between “private” personal expression and “public” external influence. These platforms, through their emphasis on visibility and performative intimacy, shape how women navigate their desires, creating a conflict between their private selves and a curated, public persona.

By utilizing the self-portrait, the body acts as a vessel to confront the tension between the “public” and “private” self—where self-expression and the pressures of media narratives blur. The phrase, “say when,” functions as a metaphor for consent, but also calls for reflection on societal pressures to define sexuality in ways that feel detached from personal authority. Through the act of "saying when," the work asks: How do women articulate sexual desires and boundaries in a world that thrives on performance and the constant transformation of digital spaces?