The artists featured in the Bodies and Expectations section work to free feminine forms from the confines of the male and colonial gazes that dominated much of western art history. The art canon functions as a microcosm for our society and is built upon imbalanced power structures that often privilege a white male gaze. In art history, the feminine body rarely exhibits agency. Instead, they predominantly serve to satiate the voyeuristic nature of those both in and outside of the frame. Ultimately, while we may own our bodies, we do not control how they are perceived.
The works in Bodies and Expectations address, subvert, or satirically reinforce expectations placed on gendered bodies through a range of mediums and depictions. They promote a neutral and non-threatening gaze that deconstructs bodily expectations and racial and gendered stereotypes. These artists communicate their rebellion against patriarchal oppression and expectations by taking back control and power over the representation of the feminine body in art.