Corpus

Corpus is a deeply personal project that delves into self-discovery and challenges societal stigmas surrounding women’s bodies. Rooted in my own struggles with body dysmorphic disorder, the project explores the nuanced connection between body and mind.

Corpus is a deeply personal project that delves into self-discovery and challenges societal stigmas surrounding women’s bodies. Rooted in my own struggles with body dysmorphic disorder, the project explores the nuanced connection between body and mind, aiming to unveil the hidden battles faced by young women. While it began as a personal response, the project is not about body dysmorphia alone. Each participant brings a different story, connected to health, mental health, sexuality, or identity making Corpus a broader reflection on how individuals relate to their bodies.

As a response to my journey, I set a rule: capturing each participant’s vulnerability with only two 120 rolls of film: colour and black and white. This deliberate constraint not only shaped the artistic process but also contributed to the project’s sustainability, reducing waste and emphasising the value of each exposure.

This limitation shifted the focus from the ‘perfect image’ to documenting unique experiences. Through medium format photography, intricate details become storytelling tools, preserving authenticity. Mindful of avoiding objectification, especially of the female nude, I focused on details like scars, moles, and tattoos that represent personal narratives.

Each session was similar to a therapy session, fostering meaningful conversations and capturing the individuality of each participant’s experience. The photographs became windows into intimate moments, making the portraits personal and private rather than public.

The project features portraits of 14 participants and exists as a completed photobook dummy, already sequenced and designed. I am also considering expanding Corpus to include participants of different genders and backgrounds, making the work more inclusive.