The Global Citizen: Emote Edition

Title of the Piece: Global Citizens (Emote Edition)
Materials: Charcoal drawing and textiles
Dimensions: 140 x 200 cm
Time to Complete: 5 months
Countries Represented: Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Lebanon, New Zealand, USA, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe
Inspiration: The universal emotional spectrum of women from different cultural backgrounds
Favourite Detail: The interplay between textiles and negative space, representing warmth, love, and growth

Inspiration: Exploring the Female Gaze Through Emotion

When I began Global Citizens (Emote Edition), I wanted to explore something that transcended culture—something that spoke to the universal human experience. The piece focuses on the female gaze, an element I believe is often overlooked or misrepresented in mainstream art. Through the use of charcoal and textiles, I aimed to depict the emotional spectrum that women experience within a single day.

Each of the ten women featured comes from a different part of the world: Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Lebanon, New Zealand, USA, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe. Despite their diverse backgrounds, I wanted their expressions to convey emotions that are instantly recognisable to all audiences—emotions like joy, pain, strength, and vulnerability.

The Process: Weaving Together Stories and Emotions

What materials did you use and why?

For this piece, I chose charcoal and textiles as my primary materials. Charcoal, with its stark contrasts and ability to capture raw emotion, was perfect for highlighting the depth and nuance of each woman's gaze. The textiles, on the other hand, symbolize the warmth and love we all seek when in need. There’s something inherently comforting about fabric—the way it wraps around you, both physically and emotionally.

I wanted to juxtapose these soft textiles with the harsher lines of the charcoal drawings, showing how we all navigate life’s emotional spectrum—sometimes feeling the need for softness, other times for resilience.

How did you approach capturing the female gaze?

Each woman's gaze is different, yet familiar. I spent time studying the subtle nuances of expression—how a slight shift in the eyes or tension in the face can communicate a world of emotion. It was important to me that these gazes felt authentic and unfiltered.

As I drew each woman, I thought about how emotions transcend borders. A smile in Zimbabwe can feel the same as a smile in Australia. A look of exhaustion is recognised from Lebanon to Italy. I wanted to showcase this common experience of being human, with the female gaze serving as the vehicle to deliver that message.

Challenges: Balancing Negative Space and Emotional Weight

What role does negative space play in the piece?

Negative space was critical in Global Citizens (Emote Edition). It represents the room we all have to grow, no matter where we are on life’s path. By leaving certain areas of the canvas untouched, I invite the viewer to step into that space and reflect on their own emotional journey.

At the same time, I wanted to ensure the emotional weight of the piece wasn’t overwhelming. The balance between the richly textured textiles and the empty spaces provides breathing room, allowing the audience to sit with each woman’s gaze without feeling suffocated by emotion.

Creative Companions: Music in the Studio

What music did you listen to while creating this piece?

The music in my studio shifted depending on the emotion I was channeling for each woman’s gaze. When working on the more tender moments, I leaned into soft, acoustic sounds—something calming, like Sufjan Stevens or Bon Iver. For the more intense or confrontational gazes, I found myself drawn to heavier, more percussive music like Florence and the Machine. It helped me dig into the rawness of those emotions, letting each woman’s story come to the surface.

What’s Next: A Continuing Exploration of the Female Experience

Once Global Citizens (Emote Edition) is installed, I hope it sparks conversation about how much we share as humans, no matter where we come from. This piece is just one part of a larger exploration for me—an ongoing journey into how we experience and express emotion.

Next, I’m considering a series of this project, adding more faces.

Conclusion: A Shared Gaze, A Shared Experience

Global Citizens (Emote Edition) is my way of capturing the shared experience of women across cultures and continents. Through the use of charcoal and textiles, I hope to create a dialogue about how we all navigate the emotional landscape of life. It’s a piece I’m incredibly proud of, and I look forward to seeing how audiences connect with it. 

If you'd like to purchase or exhibit this custom piece please contact me at hello@brigittegerges.com.