Plastic Perceptions

Siren eyes, doe eyes, facial harmony, lip filler, botox, Victoria’s Secret, Angelina Jolie cheekbones… a never-ending list of beauty hegemonies that dictate our self-perception. This nine-piece self-portrait reflects the relentlessness of self-scrutiny. The various actions capture the endless deference of happiness, available only after crossing a goalpost (clear skin, shinier hair) that’s constantly shifting. I captured myself obsessing over blemishes, scrutinizing my side profile, using makeup to mask imperfections, and even attempting to alter the shape of my eyes. The use of plastic symbolizes the persistence of insecurities for the self, even if they seem transparent or trivial to others. Using a material that can be endlessly reshaped mirrors the way I constantly try to mold myself to fit predetermined beauty standards. Crushing the plastic was an attempt to depict the frustration creating disorder in my mind.