The Female Body As A Canvas

In 2000, my dissertation explored the evolution of the female body and sexuality in advertising, as well as the activists who challenged these portrayals. Eleven years later, as I transitioned from documentary photography to studio work, I revisited this subject. I was struck by how the internet had made such imagery more accessible to younger audiences, and how societal boundaries and acceptance had shifted. This inspired my project: using the nude female form as a canvas to convey powerful social messages. By applying paint in visually striking ways, I aim to distract the viewer from the nudity itself and instead focus attention on the issues, stereotypes, inhibitions, and misconceptions that women face daily. This is a direct counterpoint to the way advertising often exploits female sexuality.