I wanted to better understand the healing properties of art therapy and witness its impact on mental wellbeing first-hand. My initial focus involved undertaking my own form of art therapy. I revisited moments from my adolescence when I felt most vulnerable, exploring them through art. This process led to the recognition of previously unaddressed body dysmorphia, resulting in a series of response works. In turn, this process established the foundation of my practice, shaping both its emotional and conceptual direction.

Stunningly Unique (2024) was a series of self portraiture works created to help spread awareness to the effects of body perception and how it can influence ones mental health and wellbeing. Named after a statement made by my partner, the works show the audience the importance of what it means to be seen, and demonstrate growing body positivity.

The works included a variety of photography and mixed media works all in classic greyscale tones, with the occasional red motif. The red is chosen for its double representation of both anger and sexual connotations. The sharp shadows draw the audiences’ eyes straight to the body, creating conversations on how we perceive ourselves and allowing those to be present and learn about each others experience.

This series was first exhibited as part of the From a Box to a Cube (2024) group exhibition at the Michael Pennie Gallery in Bath, UK, then privately shown as a whole collection, Stunningly Unique (2024), at my home in Twerton, Bath, UK.