‘Pretty Hurts’ is a constructed photo series that follows the character Stacey through her everyday rituals, and seeks to explore society’s obsession with beauty, consumerism and outward appearances. Stacey is a caricature of the several facets concerned with body image expectations, and the stereotypes placed upon women; she is impressionable, pressured and anxiety ridden. Largely inspired by housewife handbooks from the 1960’s, ‘Pretty Hurts’ is styled in a way that is relatable, yet not instantly recognisable – it is styled as an amalgamation of eras which is intended to prompt the question: have female body image issues really improved throughout the decades? Personal preference and taste may change, but the inherent pressure and desire to be aesthetically pleasing remains.
August 24, 2019
August Shortlist – Does pretty equal pain?
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Large format photographs that are then digitally printed.Pretty Hurts, 2019Final photographic prints are A1 in size.