This space is about the beauty of the female form beyond the false images around us.

It is about the wonder of the human body

It is about self acceptance

Discouraging judgement

And also encouraging empathy

I started this series when I saw my friend and artist, David Akinola’s drawings of women whose bodies looked closer to mine than any I had ever really seen in the media. Years later, I have decided to expand it to include other artists that pay tribute to the female form, in all forms.  

The first thing I noticed was how attractive these drawings are. This shocked me because fat women aren’t attractive. Big bellies aren’t attractive. Only breasts that are round and perky look good. More precisely, my big belly isn’t attractive, nor my breasts, who are quite obedient to gravity, or so I told myself everyday. These drawings have helped me to see my body in a new way. They have helped me realise the extent to which I was unable to see myself outside of the mirage of the media, and the lies that induce the kind of self-hate from which corporations benefit.

I want people to see bodies that are different from what we see on the mainstream media and accept them, admire them and see them as human - not be disgusted. I want people to know that is how that body looks and it isn't good or bad, it just is.

I want people to come away aware of their own prejudices and appreciate the diversity of the female form.

I also want every person who goes through this experience to come away appreciating their bodies a lot more

I want people to see their bodies in communion with their spirit as well. And not see it merely as a body.

I also touch on female sexuality, a subject that is still largely taboo. I hope people will be able to see the meaningful, honest and authentic ways in which we can connect with our bodies.

This process was empowering for me. I never thought fat and attractive could coexist in the same image. So while I was initially curious about why I liked these images, I have come back to see them as a source of confidence and a call to self acceptance.

 Many things… Still developing.

If you’d like to be part of this series, please get in touch with me.

Love your wonderful self.

Not when.

Not if.

Right now.

Love,

O.F.P.