~ Practical work in relation to my essay ~

The honest approach to female sexuality and the eradication of objectification is something literature, creative direction and social media (blogs) are more recently distributing to the world. “I became keenly aware that I was wearing a shirt and he was not. That didn’t seem fair.” (Dunham.L, pg.72); young writers like Lena Dunham are using their honest personal experiences of being persecuted and treated differently just because of gender and how nowadays although less laws bind women to a submissive position, society still often shuns those who fight it. An issue however with new wave feminism and the structure its began to take is the misconception that for a woman to be successful she must be aggressive, strong and typically ‘male’ in their personality; “That attitude towards gender works to diminish and narrow what women are and can become” (Levrant.S, pg.238) It’s possible that the label of feminist itself is off putting for many and could in turn have a negative effect in terms of false judgement.

The mis-representation of sexuality in the media from pornography to the soap operas we are exposed to as children hugely impacts the ‘norms’ of general culture in adult life. Even to soften the blow of the not so romanticised reality of sex for young people experiencing it for the first time, society could benefit from more realistic portrayals of sex. The introduction whether it be via popular culture or standard education of non-binary & homosexual role models, the idea of feminism and the concept of sexual freedom and further revolution; rather than the scientific, non inclusive lessons past generations have been taught. 84% of homosexual characters within TV secum to a deadly end; this negative throw away attitude to these characters directly shows how although the general acceptance and changes in equality laws have improved there's still a long way to come before things become accurately and appropriately portrayed. The bodies of women being yet another unfortunate element that appears glamorized; hairless, toned and usually Photoshopped the negative connotations this has for young women's mental health is undeniable.

These are two paragraphs from my essay that gave me the biggest amount of direction and inspiration for my practical body of work. I addressed the issue that since the sexual revolution the objectification of women's bodies within the creative (advertising & film mainly) industry. The increase pressure to be hairless, fatless and ultimately society's idea of 'flawless'. It's something that sexualises women massively making them a 'selling point' for many products. It also affects the self confidence and mental health of many who are striving to meet un-reachable body goals that just completely go against nature.

My creative graphic design solution to this issue was to produce a campaign to increase awareness of the natural female form. The main element of this being a month of the year where women do not shave their bodies and to embrace their inner and natural beauty.

This example of a shaving advert shows she isn't even shaving hair; no hair is present even within the advert she's literally shaving a shaved leg.

It's the same with advert for tampons; they use a blue liquid in place of blood. Even red liquid would be a more accurate representation. It's no wonder that periods and body hair on women are socially thought of as weird and unnatural as they are just never physically and accurately represented in the media.