Alexandra Bonnet

Artist Statement: Gallery

Spring 2015
Who am I? Who do they say I am?
I am addressing the human form that once expressed the commercial idea of the
"beautiful" male or female body, the expected norm in todays modern society. The idea that
there is such a thing as perfect beauty can be found most directly in the mannequins. By altering
these forms to something threatening, but relatable to the average person, I hope to call attention
to this dangerous idea of a generic norm of identity. My intentions are not to glorify harmful acts
upon the body but to call attention to a few social justice issues under sex and gender identity
umbrella.
These mannequins represent the ideal human figure that todays modern society accepts
as normal. Because of this, the issue of these perfect bodies eliminates not only the personal
identity, but cultural or ethnic identity of those around us. Throughout my process I try to alter or
eliminate this imposed idea of perfection so that the viewer is made aware of this trap that
surrounds us as we try to locate ourselves in society.
I use various materials not natural to the human body to evoke a response from the
viewer to reexamine the use of these bodies to represent all of society. Thus demonstrating the
bondage the average person feels when confronted with the daily presentation of these body
images. I aim to confront the viewers expectations of the ideal body type, as well as, the sex and
gender identity issues using materials that represent a web or barbed wire that binds us in an
unnatural way to these so called perfect forms of female and male bodies,
Representation is important in todays society and I think about this idea everyday
whether its through art or people. Calling attention to the pain and struggle surrounding issues of
identity to those who may not notice how they are being manipulated is something we should
strive to confront.