Femininity In the Media

“Femininity in the Media” is a comprehensive exploration of the societal standards of femininity that are perpetuated by the media. Through my digital art, collages, and paintings, I aim to challenge these standards and encourage women to embrace their individuality and agency. My hope is that this project will spark a conversation about the role of media and advertising in shaping our perceptions of femininity and inspire women to embrace their unique beauty and strength.

The expectation for women to conform to narrow standards of femininity is pervasive in media and advertising. Women are bombarded with messages about how they should look, speak, and behave in order to fit into the prescribed ideal of a cisgender, white, skinny woman. The media reinforces the notion that women can improve their lives by altering their appearance and surroundings to match these ideals. This pressure to conform is disguised as choice and empowerment, but ultimately limits women’s freedom and agency.

As an artist, I am exploring the ways in which the media reinforces these harmful standards through various media and feminist theory and responding to them through a variety of mediums including digital art, collage, and painting. My work challenges these ideals and illustrates these frameworks by subverting and deconstructing them, revealing the underlying misogyny and social conditioning that perpetuate oppression in our day to day lives. I aim to encourage viewers to question the societal norms and expectations placed upon women and to recognize the harm that comes from these ideals. I believe that by exposing and challenging these standards, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society where all individuals are free to express themselves and live fulfilling lives.

As I delved deeper into the topic of femininity in the media, I became increasingly aware of the immense pressure that women face to conform to narrow and unrealistic beauty standards. The media reinforces these standards through a variety of channels, including advertising, fashion, and entertainment, creating a culture in which women are expected to constantly strive towards an unattainable ideal. In this portfolio project, I aim to explore and critique these damaging representations of femininity.

Each piece in my portfolio offers a unique perspective on these themes, while also utilizing a different medium to convey its message. The pieces offer a critical commentary on the media’s role in perpetuating these harmful standards. They challenge the viewer to question the messages that they are receiving and to consider the impact that these messages are having on their lives and the lives of those around them. Ultimately, my goal is to create art that empowers women to break free from these harmful beauty standards and to embrace their true selves without fear of judgement or rejection.