Gearhart, Taylen Reclaimed: Power, Desire, and the Body. Thesis. Radford University Scholars' Repository.
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Abstract
Art is a powerful tool for reclaiming agency, challenging societal norms, and empowering marginalized voices. My artistic practice is rooted in exploring the resilience of the female form, emphasizing strength, autonomy, and expression. Through clay sculptures intertwined with mixed media elements, I aim to challenge the pervasive cultural pressures that dictate how women should present themselves while celebrating the beauty and power within all bodies. My work draws inspiration from personal experiences, societal observations, and feminist theory. By sculpting bodies that defy traditional ideals of perfection, I seek to provide a visual narrative that embraces larger, scarred, and imperfect figures. Ultimately, my work aims to foster empathy and provoke dialogue about societal beauty standards, bodily autonomy, and empowerment. By celebrating the diverse, complex experiences of women, I create a space where marginalized bodies are not only seen but revered. Incorporating the experiences of real women has been vital to my process. Drawing from a range of models, which includes family members, my own body, and online sex workers who intentionally curate their image online. My sculptures reflect individuals who have claimed control over how they are seen. These figures command space, forcing the viewer to engage with their presence and challenging the objectification that often defines women’s bodies. Through artistic expression, I aim to challenge the narratives that diminish female strength and affirm the right of all individuals to define their own identity on their terms.
| Item Type: | Thesis |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | N Fine Arts > NX Arts in general |
| Divisions: | Radford University > College of Visual and Performing Arts > Department of Art |
| Date Deposited: | 14 Jun 2025 00:45 |
| Last Modified: | 14 Jun 2025 00:45 |
| URI: | http://wagner.radford.edu/id/eprint/1179 |
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