The fearless mirror: conquering body shame

Carey, Katelyn Ann

Savannah, Ga. : Savannah College of Art and Design

2014-11

Thesis (M.F.A.) -- Fibers

Savannah College of Art and Design -- Department of Fibers

Includes bibliographical references (p. 30-31).

The societal ideal that thinness is the ultimate form of beauty has fostered dissatisfaction with our bodies. Experiencing life as an overweight person made it even more evident that the majority is cruel to those who don’t fit the aesthetic ideal. By examining the history of how our bodies became a topic of scrutiny, the ways in which society obsesses with the constant promotion of the thin ideal can be better understood. The relatively recent body acceptance movement counters this obsession and its coinciding prejudice toward the overweight. In promoting awareness in my own life, specifically my relationship with my reflection and my body, this work explores the physical and psychological effects of negative body image. Fearing one’s reflection is something I grew familiar with over the years that I spent as a heavy person, but, inspired by the body acceptance movement, this mixed-media work encourages facing the mirror and reveling in the beauty of one’s body. Through the use of photographic and abstracted body images, I began to internalize the overall message: Love your body; it is a beautiful source of power and inspiration.

Keywords: fibers, obesity, gastric bypass, body positivity, body love, self esteem, beauty, acceptance.

CHAIR: First, Deborah

Easley, Cayewah

Sargent, Mary Elizabeth

English

Fibers

Text

PDF ; 31 p. : ill. (chiefly col.)

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