Unpacking the Layers: Matryoshkas and Modern Womanhood

I’ve always been drawn to symbols that hold deeper meaning, and during a recent body of work, I found myself captivated by the form of the matryoshka—the traditional Russian nesting doll. At first glance, they’re charming, decorative objects. But the more I studied them, the more I saw them as powerful metaphors for the many layers of womanhood.

Each doll within a doll represents not just stages of life, but the identities, roles, and experiences that women carry—often all at once. As I began designing my own versions, I created figures that explored everything from caretaking and creativity to grief, exhaustion, joy, and resilience. Some were whimsical, others more somber. But all were honest.

This series became a way for me to reflect on the complexity of being a woman today. We’re daughters, mothers, workers, nurturers, advocates, artists—layer after layer, seen and unseen. And just like the nesting dolls, each part holds space for the others.

Working on these matryoshkas allowed me to honor that complexity, to tell visual stories that acknowledge both the burdens and the beauty of these roles. I hope that those who see this work recognize themselves somewhere within the layers—and maybe feel a little more seen because of it.