In November 2022, I was invited to produce a mural for the Women’s Restroom at the Kahnawake Brewing Company. The intention was to create a space that not only complemented the aesthetic and identity of the brewery, but honoured the feeling femininity. Femininity, as a social construct, can involve many layers of reflection. From gender constructs, to feminism, to images we personally feel drawn to, the idea of capturing femininity. seemed more complex than simply beautifying a bathroom space.
I wanted to honour the diversity of what it means to be a woman and how we came to identify as such. This mural thus featured a series of portraits with minds bursting with herbs, medicines and butterflies. I drew from my own curiosity of natural medicines and magic of our long traditions of connecting with the land. Each woman and each life entity, being connected to the Earth, features a story of interconnection. The butterflies pollinate the medicines, who then care for the people. As a symbol, this speaks to the importance of women honouring and empowering each other–that we can nourish each other so our whole community can flourish with inspiration, healing and magic entirely of our own.
Using recycled photoframes I hand painted in bronze, each portrait was then framed so that viewers of this mural can find a piece of themselves to honor and love.
How did I come to connect with the Brewery?
In October 2021, I designed a brew label for them! If you happen to visit, check out the New England IPA entitled “Centauress”!
Image curtesy of the Kahnawake Brewing Company.
Megan Kanerahtenha:wi Whyte 