Feminine Phenomenon (2025) is a self-portrait created by Sarah Alexa Siegel exploring her identity as a High Femme dyke. This work speaks to the subversion of femininity that is taken on through inhabiting the historical role of “Femme” in the lesbian community. Feminine Phenomenon is a playful take on the idea of “painting oneself”. The figure in the foreground is Venusian and protruding from a shell. Behind her, Siegel watches carefully, painting this version of herself, constructing herself as a goddess. 

In the background, light hits a mirror as Siegel paints her face, applying lipstick, and thus constructing her appearance in keeping with her identity. This work is an homage to the artist exploring her identity and coming into her queerness through a repeated practice of creating self-portraits as she created herself.