Flesh, like bubblegum, is soft, sticky, and pliable. In pristine shape, both flesh and gum are desirable. Distinctly, however, chewed gum is disposable, invisible, and hard to look at. Individuals that have fat bodies are frequently socially isolated and denied access to societal structures. Those of us who are fat are continuously reminded of our...
Flesh, like bubblegum, is soft, sticky, and pliable. In pristine shape, both flesh and gum are desirable. Distinctly, however, chewed gum is disposable, invisible, and hard to look at. Individuals that have fat bodies are frequently socially isolated and denied access to societal structures. Those of us who are fat are continuously reminded of our body sizes and how they do not fit into the world. Shame plays a large role in enforcing fatphobia in our society. Most people think of shame for larger, memorable events, but MFA student Gabrielle Barnett argues that the smaller moments are the ones that lead to internalisation of fatphobia. The thinner a person is, the more unnoticed these constant, small bits of shame are. Bodies move in and out of visibility based on the setting and the company that they occupy.
This work is as much an exploration into Barnett’s life as it is a study of how a fat person interprets and navigates the world. We must take care to see those who feel unseen.
Artist Bio
Gabrielle Barnett is an artist based in Athens, Georgia. She is currently a MFA Candidate at the University of Georgia. Gabby has work shown both nationally and internationally. Her artworks examine the family unit and parenthood in relation to body image, specifically the fat body. Gabby researches how our experiences shape individuals’ worldview, and asks viewers to consider perspectives outside of the societal norm.
