Distortion
Distortion
a thesis
The oil painting series Distortion is intended to highlight the societal lenses that often affect the way people view themselves. Self image can be distorted by a number of different factors, such as media influences, societal expectations, pressure from peers, and other daily challenges. The encouragement of comparison that is instilled in society today often manifests itself in eating disorders, lower levels of self esteem, and issues with self confidence. By depicting the human figure behind glass vessels filled with water, I hope to comment on the ways the image of the self can be distorted. Through exploring the relationship between a distorted image of the human body as seen through glass vessels, it is my intention to bring attention to the universality of the distortion of self.
This collection of six oil paintings ranges in size and proportion. Wood panels from 24 in x 24 in, to 24 in x 48 in, and various sizes in between, each image contains both a human figure and an assortment of glass vessels. The glasses are intended to refract, reflect, and distort the features of the figures to illustrate the fragile nature of one’s perception of self. The combination of still life and portraiture is utilized to achieve composition with optimum distortion.
In partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts from Endicott College.
