Sally Hewett‘s embroideries have cellulite, body hair, varicose veins, moles, and imperfections. But most of all, they have a sense of humor.
“My stitching practice centers around ideas of beauty and ugliness and the conventions that determine which is seen as which. I am interested in why some characteristics of bodies are considered beautiful and others ugly or disgusting,” Says Hewett of her work.
With October being Breast Cancer Awareness month, her work is especially timely, as women’s issues are brought to the forefront of our collective social conscious. She uses traditional hand-stitching and toy making techniques, as well as materials, to provide ripe commentary on the realistic vs the unrealistic view of human bodies. Her embroidery hoop serves as a magnifying glass to get a close up on areas of disgust and fetishization alike; lush bikini lines, smooth golden butts, scars from mastectomies. The flesh rendered inside of the hoop has the ability simultaneously disgust and intrigue.
Hewett’s work is a celebration of our most ridiculed physical traits from moles to unwanted hair. The perfection of her craft and the intricate rendering of her creations are indicators of beauty, but they portray subject matter that contends with realities of the human body that can be considered abject and unsightly.
Her work is something like an informative cartoon train wreck, it’s a little off-putting, a little thought provoking, and very entertaining to look at. Click here to see the rest of her portfolio or follow her on social media.
Like this article? Check out Chantal Joffe’s portraits of iconic women throughout western history, or other amazing female artists.
Don’t forget to donate! Here are a few organizations making strides to fight against breast cancer: Tao Cares, Susan G. Komen, and Avon Foundation.
