Sarah Tefft

Embody

This thesis contains large-scale oil paintings and ceramic sculptures that question and examine the relationship I have with my own body. The work is influenced by experiences I have had, pertaining to sexual assault, health, and societal standards placed on women. Influenced by abstract expressionism, the process of making is just as important as the outcome. Scraping, throwing, and dripping paint are all methods I frequently use to incorporate my own body in both the creation and content of my work. Bright peach tones, dark honey, and green are all colors referenced from my own body’s palette. The ceramic sculptures evolve organically in the making process, often drooping, slouching, and leaning. They allude to the body in curves and shapes. These works presented together, prompt the viewer to reconsider how they emotionally relate to the female body.