Kelli Damron

Abstract

Recent American pop culture has played a major role in portraying the voluptuous female as unhealthy and unattractive; it has recreated an idea of beauty that is an extreme opposite of the ideals of the past. Through my thesis work I would like to offer another option to the emaciated female figure that is propagated by American society today. The amply proportioned woman as an object of beauty has been represented in art from the beginning of humankind. She has been painted, carved, sculpted, and modeled by the earliest known inhabitants of this planet. She has been exalted in works like the Venus ofWillendorf, as well as those of Rubens, La Chaise, and many others artists and cultures throughout history. These artists worshiped the robust figure of femininity and celebrated the strength and beauty of all that is inherently woman. My own views on the female figure and beauty contradict that of current American pop culture. Through figurative clay sculpture, I hope to re-establish a link to historical ideals of beauty and create a view and ideal of beauty mat is completely my own. By accentuating and exaggerating certain aspects I plan to show the beauty and sensuality of this robust figure of femininity. In my thesis work I will use many elements to articulate and express my own ideal through figurative sculpture. Form is the primary element in my work and I plan to investigate the rotund female figure in a variety of sizes. Research and testing will be done in order to achieve a surface treatment and color that clearly communicates my ideas.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Figure sculpture; Human figure in art; Ceramic sculpture--Themes, motives; Women in art

Publication Date

2001

Document Type

Thesis

Department, Program, or Center

School for American Crafts (CIAS)

Advisor

Hirsch, Richard

Advisor/Committee Member

Gallaway, Julia

Advisor/Committee Member

Skedel, DeAnna

Comments

Note: imported from RIT’s Digital Media Library running on DSpace to RIT Scholar Works. Physical copy available through RIT's The Wallace Library at: NB1930 .D367 2001

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

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