Hannah Helmy,  The Unspoken Experiences of Perimenopause, Watercolor on Paper, 2025

Artist Statement (for piece specifically): Underrepresentation is a huge part of being a woman, and with age, women become more of an afterthought in our society. Ever since I learned what a period is, I have come to learn what menopause is with that. The details, however, are little to unknown amongst the people who will experience it and are going through it. Through my comic, “The Unspoken Experiences of Perimenopause,” I delve into a range of experiences associated with perimenopause and define it. I strive to create an image of how everyone’s experience with perimenopause is different; some struggle with self-image, some feel a drastic difference in brain function, and some embrace it fully as a fresh start. Going through the phases of menopause is so much more than no longer having a period. Through this comic, I wanted to create awareness of hormone therapy and create an emphasis on bodily autonomy.