WIWT: Grad Show Opening Night

Last Thursday was the opening of Unitec’s Grad Show, and with it the end of my studies at Unitec.  I wanted to share my outfit from the night, as well as a few snaps of me with my work for those of you who have been unable to make it in to see the exhibition for yourselves. Just a warning that this post includes photos of one of one of my pieces that involves four incredibly gorgeous, incredibly naked ladies – so if you’re not okay with ladies who are comfortable with their naked selves, or you are at work, you probably should just stop right here…

I was lucky enough to be able to exhibit two different works this year. The first was my major end of year project (that I am planning to continue), Fat Girls Shouldn’t Wear Stripes. Visitors to the exhibition could come and sit in my office and look through my blog, as well as looking at an amazing enormous print of Khrissie.

Fun fact: For those of you who don’t know, Unitec used to be home to the Whau Lunatic Asylum. My office? Used to be a cell. The historic building has a not-so-nice past and is apparently haunted.  I can confirm that working late at night over the last four years I’ve had a few spooky experiences myself…

The second piece of work I debuted at the exhibition was Fat bottomed girls, you make the rockin’ world go round, which was created in response to the photographs taken by Annie Leibovitz for Dove’s 2005 Campaign for Real Beauty. Dove’s advertising featured “six real women with real bodies and real curves” in attempt to create discussion about the stereotype that only thin is beautiful. While Dove’s campaign was a good starting point for this discussion, it was not inclusive of larger body sizes or varied body shapes, which led me to gather together four women whose dress sizes ranged from 16 to 26, and photograph them nude in the hopes that this would create additional dialogue about the way that the world sees and treats fat people. I think that the message that “all women are real women” is important, no matter whether the woman is a size 6 or a size 26 – keep an eye out for more about this on my blog soon.

Thanks to everyone who has supported me during my study journey over the last four years. It’s been a long road, and I’m so excited to have finally made it to the end. At the moment I have no idea what my future is going to hold, but I’m hoping to continue my Fat Girls Shouldn’t Wear Stripes project (if anyone knows someone who might be willing to fund that, please send them my way!), do some freelancing and continue spreading the body positive love.

x Meagan

Meagan wears:
Atari Baby Shirred Waist Dress c/- 17 Sundays
Britney Brogues by Garage c/- The Warehouse

Images / Doug Peters from Ambient Light Photography