How does society decide what is considered beautiful?

Society's definition of beauty has significantly changed over time. The ideal body shape for women has evolved, and it is evident that what is considered perfect is not perpetual. The beauty standard is ever-changing and will continue to change in the future.

Throughout my exploration, I have created a series of acrylic paintings that depict the female form, specifically my own body. The paintings use color relationships to portray the bodies in a way that abstracts them, with each painting having a distinctive level of abstraction that changes the way we perceive the figures. The abstraction ultimately conceals the bodies, which is a reflection of the unattainable standards embedded in our culture. Women often feel the need to hide their bodies out of fear of being scrutinised due to these unrealistic expectations

I have personally struggled with negative body image, and using my experiences to inspire my work has made this series more authentic. I believe that it's important to showcase this narrative and normalize the female body. Women should not feel ashamed, guilty, or vulnerable due to harmful expectations placed on them.

It's important to have this narrative showcased. The female body needs to be normalised.