GEORGIA RILEY

My work often concerns the taboo and objectification surrounding women and femininity. Body parts are deemed desirable, or undesirable based upon a man’s opinion and his own desires. The male gaze greatly affects women and how they view themselves, they lose licence over their own bodies, becoming objects to be beholden by men. My art explores these aspects of a woman’s life, the conscious choices they must make daily to avoid unwanted attention, to avoid mockery for dressing or acting in certain ways or hiding their bodily functions to appease men. By segmenting the female figure in my works in a crude and harsh manner I am pushing the viewer to adapt the male gaze, focusing purely on socially desirable body parts and shapes. My figures are all petite, with large breasts and perky behinds. The lack of plus or mid-sized women is intentional, as they are often unheard of and unseen in the media, as the male gaze often deems them as undesirable. The fetishization of body parts are dealt with in a crude, humorous manor to mock the gaze of the viewer. As through the nudity and vulgar exposure of these body parts I have prevented a whole image of the figure being seen, similar to the effect the male gaze has upon how men view women. We are fractured beyond the recognition of a person, without feeling and personality due to their objectification of body parts they desire. The figures are also made functional, as a vase or plant pot or incense holder, to reflect these views, women are no longer beings with control over themselves, but objects in society and media to please men and fulfil their desires. The gloss glaze and gold spray paint on some pieces are used to further distance the figures from reality and to emphasise the view that these women are merely ornaments for us to enjoy upon viewing.