Body image is a theme I have always grappled with and is central to my work. This mixed media piece specifically redefines the traditional odalisque presented to us throughout art history. The odalisque has always been a recurring symbol of idealized feminine beauty in art, portrayed as the seductive reclining female nude. In response, I created my own modern odalisque that challenges this beauty standard by presenting a body that is not overly sexualized or a slender female body on display, but rather one that reflects the natural and real human body. 

Additionally, on the ceramic canvas I added ceramic sculpted figures with surgery marks around the central painted figure to emphasize the expectations contemporary society places on the female body. A realistic female body surrounded by women who alter their body to fit the society's beauty standard. 

My process was to first roll out a slab of clay and cut it into an organic shape. Then I carved a niche in the middle using the organic edges as a frame. I also sculpted little figures that would fit around the frame. Next I fired the frame and figures separately through the firings with no glaze, just raw clay. I primed and painted on the frame and figures with oil paints. Finally, I glued the figures around the frame.