My graphite drawings inspired by the #MeToo movement explore the parallels between recent apologies made by men accused of sexual harassment and the fault-finding marketing claims routinely displayed on consumer products for women. Reading these rich and powerful men’s public apologies, I was struck by how common it was for a woman to acknowledge (and readily purchase products) in order to correct her many “flaws”, but completely unexpected for a man to admit to any of his failings. Repentant quotes from each man’s statement are paired with popular consumer products like Irish Spring, Barbasol, and Speed Stick. Each quote is then given further context by using elements from the actual packaging design—Maximum confidence! Feel clean and fresh!—thus exposing the irony of such a juxtaposition.
—Karen Mainenti
