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Beauty,
Power And Desire
External examination reveals
yet another highly exaggerated physical feature on Amy E. Fraser's
figure; the breasts appear to be unusually large and full in relation
to the subject's thin, athletic build. In line with the investigative
report regarding the muscle structure, this investigator believes
that the disproportionately large breasts may be more than aesthetic
choice. Investigation into the concepts relating to the breasts
helps to identify the cause of Amy E. Fraser's art.
Physiological and
Psychological Aspects
The breast is either of the
two mammae occurring on the chest of human beings and other primates,
especially notable on the female after pubertal development. They
are the most pronounced and variable aspect of female anatomy. Although
the breasts' primary function is reproductive, to nourish the offspring
with milk, it is their prominence and vulnerability that make them
the chief badge of gender. The breasts command attention, independent
of a woman's intention to command it. In Western culture, to 'breast'
something means to meet or oppose boldly, one must contend with
or advance against it. Breasts lead the way, they are bold and obvious
and there is no place for them to hide. The subject's breasts are
the location of culturally defined beauty, female power, masculine
desire, as well as gender and sexual identification.
The Significance
Of Breasts
Unlike the contained
secrecy and forbidden aspects of the vagina, breasts are public
and have an existence outside of the body. At times, if they are
not properly supported, breasts seem to be possessed by a momentum
of their own, bobbing, bouncing, shifting, teasing, tantalizing,
swinging and swaying. This sensuous movement has the power to captivate,
thrill and even immobilize interested viewers. It is this very magic
that makes breasts both a dangerous and powerful female entity.
For many, breasts symbolically represent the ancient and magical
powers of fertility and feminine sexuality. In ancient times, man
was amazed by woman's procreative and nourishing abilities. Sculptures
from the time exaggerated and celebrated these powerful aspects
of femininity. The artifacts illustrate the significance and fascination
that female breasts have provided humanity since the beginning of
time. Fertility figurines were not considered demeaning or degrading;
they were made to show respect for woman and her precious power
to continue the existence of man.
Attraction to the female breasts is indescribable. Our desire for
and connection to this aspect of femininity is beyond conscious
comprehension. Breasts provide a fascination and attraction simply
by their existence. They are magical and powerful. We like how they
look and feel, and we enjoy the sensations they provide. The breasts
are tactile, life affirming and desirable.
Ignorance, Shame,
Abuse and Embarrassment
Today in Western culture, breasts
are considered to be one of the main elements of feminine beauty.
However, somewhere along the path to current civilization, the breasts
stopped receiving the respect they once earned. Current misconceptions
include that, the larger a woman's breasts, the more 'feminine'
she appears. She is often treated with less credibility and seen
as having less intellectual power in a male dominated society.
Womens' breasts have been ogled, pointed at, laughed at, drooled
over, worshipped and disgraced. They are pulled, prodded, stuffed,
pierced and mutilated to satisfy the whims and trends of Western
society. Breasts have been conceived of as decorative sex objects
to be abused, objectified and manipulated. Breasts have also been
overly glorified, deified, exalted and praised for legitimate reasons.
For centuries, Western womens' breasts have been objects of unlimited
attention, degradation and humiliation. They have also been a source
of pleasure and entertainment. For many women, this confusion has
made their breasts a source of competition, insecurity and shame.
When a young woman's breasts begin to show, she discovers that their
development sparks public regard. It is common for parents and relatives
to shamelessly comment and mark their arrival as a landmark event.
Parents, in their effort to protect their daughters from unwanted
attention, often end up objectifying the breasts further. Schoolmates,
teachers and even strangers may take notice of the new arrivals.
A woman begins to fear her breasts belong to everyone but herself,
but, most especially to men. Later in her life, she may discover
that her breasts have become the claimed property of her husband
or lover, jealously guarded from the penetrating stares of the competition.
It is often assumed that a woman with large breasts is flaunting
her sexuality and inviting attention. Some assume a woman with large
breasts is more sexually active and unintelligent. Conversely, women
with small or 'flat' chests are assumed to be more intelligent,
prudish and non-sexual. However, size does not indicate the level
of erotic pleasure a woman can receive from her breasts or her ability
to nurse a child. The pleasurable sensation resides in the erectile
tissue of the nipples, not in the bulk of the breast.
Redefining Western
Femininity
If femininity were based on
the female breasts in the same way that masculinity is based on
the erect penis, then women would be conceived of as soft, curvaceous
and nurturing, but also be defined as forthright, aggressive, sexual
and bold. 21st century women are better suited to this revised version
of femininity and should use it to 'breast' against past societal
misconceptions.
Women should celebrate all aspects of their female physical nature,
including the breasts. Women can work together to change culture's
perspective on the female breast and help both sexes to view them
as objects of both beauty and power. I believe the breasts are a
very important aspect of feminine beauty because they represent
both our sexuality and our maternal capabilities. As aspects of
our feminine sexuality, they stand as identifiers of our multi-dimensional
sexual nature. They are one of the many layers to feminine erotic
pleasure. Celebrating the breasts is a way of celebrating female
sexuality and expressing it from a woman's perspective. The breasts
are also signifiers of maternal power. To be enveloped in the matriarchal
bosom is to feel safe and secure. Babies, pets and loved ones all
instinctually gravitate to this part of the female body seeking
comfort, feminine warmth and release from emotional pain.
Breasts In Relation
To My Own Art
The large full breasts
on my figures is often a point of controversy. Many feel that representations
and idealizations of large breasts perpetuates misogynistic male
fantasy as well as unrealistic ideals for the average woman. Some
feel that such images play upon womens' insecurities and encourages
them to mutilate their bodies with dangerous cosmetic surgeries
in an attempt to conform to these ideals. Also, many critic's argue
against any 'beautified' female representations because they reduce
womens' bodies to the status of purely sexual objects. This is obviously
not the intention of my art.
Some believe the large breasted women I create are the subconscious
result of my years spent waitressing in a topless club. This is
the same type of woman I have created since I was first able to
draw a figure from my imagination, so I know this is not the case.
I am not sure where I acquired this influence. My mother had an
average chest size, however, I was constantly exposed to her nudity.
Her breasts in comparison to my own adolescent body must have seemed
extreme and may have distorted my perception. In addition, my grandmothers
on both sides had ample bosoms and maybe it was their power, influence
and matriarchal control over the family that I attribute to my female
figures. My large breasted figures may be a product of my culturalization
or many other factors, but the fact remains that this body type
has been in my visual vocabulary since I was first able to express
it.
Intelligence, in combination with attractive female attributes,
such as large breasts, continues to threaten those in power even
as we enter the 21st century. That is why I choose to exaggerate
the breast size of my figures. I am expressing their personal as
well as political significance. In addition, from the artist's perspective,
the breasts are points of visual interest and desire, much like
the hands, eyes or feet. The intention of the images I create is
to destroy the common misconceptions people have about large breasted
women and to encourage them to reconsider other stereotypes they
may have. The women in my work are about sexuality, but, they are
also about female strength and intelligence.
My works express our matriarchal lineage and fresh perspectives
on being a woman in the 21st century. My women are not passive victims
of consumption, degradation or humiliation. The works draw upon
and revitalize humanities first notions of breasts as symbols for
fertility, magic, procreation and nourishment.
Understandably, those who argue against representations of nudity
and the female breasts, do so out of fears of inequality and objectification.
However, I believe women can reclaim the rights to their breasts
as objects of power, sexuality and identity. Women cannot be forced
to feel shame over their breasts. Women can have pride in their
physical appearance and feminine sexuality. 21st century women should
be able to be as feminine as they desire, without having their status
or power removed for doing so.
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