In recent history, women have mostly been portrayed as waify ethereal goddesses. The idea that women should be dainty and small is a strict gender role that has been reinforced over the last 50 years. In my work I seek to question the pervasiveness of fatphobia and celebrate the aesthetic value of fatness.

Sculpting underwear is a way for me make work about women’s bodies without literally showing their bodies at all. I am interested in the ways that folds in fabric can sometimes mimic the folds in skin. Making sculptures of billowing granny panties is a way to talk about women’s bodies lightheartedly but to also realize our ideas of beauty are based on an oppressive social construct.

I use surface design to make historical references within my work. Colors are chosen from domestic magazines from the 50’s, patterns are chosen from vintage wallpaper and fabric swatches. I am interested how the power of romanticized nostalgia can overshadow ugliness of the past. The 50’s are known for their overtly sexist portrayal of women in ads and the media. Reusing these color schemes in my work is a way to reclaim narrative in an era that silenced women.

In my mind it is incredibly hard to move past heavily ingrained ideals, I still sometimes catch myself thinking something that is sexist or fatphobic. I realize that changing a cultural view of these issues requires ongoing persistence. In order to move past cultural ideals we have to rewire our brains to look at beauty in an abstract sense and question any preconceived notions we might have about the fat female experience. Through my work I aim to add to an ever changing and inclusive dialogue.