"Women have always been demanded to fit the space around them. Whether it be a specific acceptable physical size or a particular societal role, women have been forced to master shape-shifting. I begin with a body of water in these paintings and imagine women fitting into the space. The women are not real, they are reflections of us. They represent historical women, marginalized women, strong women, forgotten women, and fighting women. I hope that we can recognize the flexibility we have in life that also shows our strength to overcome circumstances that want to contain us. We push back and step out." - Erika b Hess, Shape Shifters Series