Margaret Ambridge

Becoming invisible? asks women, with up to 102 years of life
experience, to consider how they navigate

their mortality, and the ‘gendered shame’ western culture attaches to ageing.

Are we more fearful of looking old than getting old?

The beauty market, distilled in the 20th century, is now fodder for the instant judgement market that is social media, feeding our fear of looking old, feasting on the profits and always at women’s expense.

Becoming invisible? acknowledges the capacity, relevance, and
lifelong beauty of women who, as participants, have lent their
voices, their wisdom, and their humour to this project.

Using dressmaking, casting, video and powerful charcoal
portraits focused on the neck, an evocative signifier of temporal
age, Ambridge weaves the voices of her collaborators into a
powerful statement of defiance and determination.

Being visible and relevant can be, and should be, both life
affirming and lifelong.