Objectified
“I really liked the idea of highlighting how commodified beauty/people have become (mostly through social media) and how desensitized people have become to that.” - Emma Foster
Emma Foster
August 29 - September 23, 2022
Ten untitled graphite drawings featuring female figures turned away from the viewer depict a variety of clothing and hairstyles. The works represent how people—specifically women—can be seen merely as an assemblage of superficial qualities instead of as whole human beings.
Artist Statement
These works represent how people—specifically women—can be seen merely as an assemblage of superficial qualities instead of as whole human beings. The figures are depicted with a variety of clothing and hairstyles, giving them all distinct visual differences. Up close, these differences are apparent, but once you take a step back, the portraits become homogenous as if products to be perused on a shelf.
How do you relate to these individuals? As each figure is turned away, denying the viewer a face revealing or suggesting what the figure is feeling or thinking, these angular silhouettes challenge the viewer to wonder: are these tense people? Or dolls? Mannequins?
As we rapidly scroll through social media, swipe left or right, and filter the world through a screen, we are increasingly becoming desensitized to the objectification of others. Objectified highlights this issue.
All works are Untitled, graphite, 2022.
