artist statement

In my latest body of work, “Obese Landscapes,” I challenge preconceived notions of beauty and value by exploring the intersections between body image, nature, and societal constructs. By featuring and celebrating bodies we have been programmed to fear, I aim to evoke a sense of connection and acceptance through honest depiction. Each piece serves as a visual reminder that our physicality is not a flaw, but a testament to our existence—a landscape worthy of love and appreciation. I invite viewers to embrace their own bodies as they would the natural world: with reverence, curiosity, and unconditional love.

In a world where the Body Mass Index (BMI) is often wielded as a tool of oppression—an arbitrary scale rooted in systemic racism—I aim to dismantle the harmful labels that confine our understanding of bodies. The term "obese" has been weaponized to perpetuate discrimination and shape perceptions of worth, leading to the marginalization of those whose bodies do not fit within narrow societal standards. Through my work, I seek to transcend these limitations and redefine what it means to embrace the fullness of existence.

My vision is to convey a message of unconditional self-love, grounded in our shared place within the natural world. Just as the aggressive curves of an "obese" body mimic the chiseled wear of towering boulders, or rolling hills and the dimpling of cellulite resembles wind across water, we are inherently connected to the earth. We are nature. I invite viewers to see themselves as part of the natural tapestry, intricately woven into the fabric of the world around us. My artwork illustrates this symbiosis, recognizing that our bodies, in all their diversity, reflect the beauty of the landscapes that surround us.

Just as we celebrate the lushness of a thriving ecosystem, we must also learn to honor the vastness of our own forms, even in their extremes. How can we love the earth in its myriad shapes and sizes while failing to extend that love to our own bodies? This inquiry lies at the heart of my work.

I hope to inspire a shift in perspective—a reclamation of self-worth and a celebration of the beautiful complexity of our bodies as they stand in harmony with the earth. Together, let us nurture a deeper understanding of ourselves and the landscapes we inhabit, recognizing that to love one is to love the other.