Hello! My name is Naomi and I’m excited to be a part of Girl Museum! I am currently a junior at Bryn Mawr College in Philadelphia. It’s a small historically women’s school, and I’ve been lucky enough to be surrounded by a large group of strong and smart women for the three years that I’ve been there. I’m studying art history and Japanese.
Though I’m from the US, going to college in America has been my first time living there. I grew up in Japan and Singapore, and go back to visit my family in Singapore during the holidays. I only started a few weeks ago, but I’m currently in Tokyo starting my semester abroad to study Japanese. That puts a hold on my art history studies, but the amazing art in Japan, as well as the opportunity to work with Girl Museum, allows me to enjoy art from exciting and different perspectives.
Before I became interested in art history, I was invested in making art myself. I still sketch and paint as a hobby, but mostly end up doodling professors during class. Because I used to be part of crew, I also love to go to the gym in the mornings. I wish I could say that I have a dream job, but as of now, I don’t have anything set in stone. I do know I want to work in the art world alongside people who also love it, share it, and see its importance.
Being asked to pick a favorite museum is almost as hard as being asked what my future job prospects are. I have always loved the Mori Art Museum of contemporary art in Tokyo, as it was my first introduction to Yayoi Kusama. I also have fallen in love with the Fabric Workshop and Museum in Philly, where they have one artist-in-resident at a time exhibit their work. I’m drawn to it because the museum collaborates with the artist by printing and sewing textiles that are integral to the artist’s exhibition.
I believe one of the biggest issues facing girls and young women is unhealthy social media culture. Undoubtedly, social media can be problematic to all those who use it, but girls especially are a susceptible target online. The internet is easily a platform for “ideal” body and lifestyle expectations—Instagram influencers, especially beauty and fitness bloggers, make it difficult for girls to separate what they see online from their own lives. Though social media doesn’t pose an imminent threat to girls, it very much defines how young women see themselves and the world. With Girl Museum, I am excited not only to be able to digitally explore and share art culture, but also to work in a space where girls can access safe and genuine content online.
-Naomi Stock
Junior Girl
Girl Museum Inc.