Ana Mendieta, Untitled (Grass On Woman), 1972
From the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden:
The “Silueta Series” is one of Mendieta’s projects most representative of her study of ancient cultures, fascination with cross-cultural archetypes, and engagement with themes of gender and identity. These performances involved a contour of her body outlined in the earth or her silhouette constructed with leaves, twigs, blood, or various other organic materials. Mendieta’s paintings and sculptures mirror the ephemeral nature of her “Silueta” performances since she continued to work with organic materials, especially leaves that inevitably become transformed over time.