Sometimes, I find an artist’s work so powerful, that I can’t write about it immediately. When I found New York artist Lee Price’s work, I wanted to share it as soon as possible, but just couldn’t write about it yet. So I featured her on my Artist Watch over on Escape Into Life, where I can simply post images, a bio and a link.
Having been naturally thin and active almost my entire life, up until recently, I’ve never really had weight issues. There were times I actually wished to be a little more curvy, more womanly. But as I approach the big 4-0 next week (!), I find myself struggling more than ever with my body image. Having listened to every woman I know complain about her body at one time or another, I know that I am not alone.
Lee Price’s work speaks to food obsessions and compulsions so common, especially among women. Her pastel, candy-colored palette belies the darkness at the heart of each painting. Her women are isolated, surrounded not by friends, family or lovers, but by piles of food, rarely untouched.
Constantly bombarded with conflicting media, we, as women, are often left feeling inadequate and confused. We retreat into ourselves, indulging when we are alone so that the only judgement we’ll feel is our own. Will we ever stop condemning ourselves so harshly?
For me, its still a struggle to make the right choices. Gone are the days of being able to eat whatever I like and still be a size 5. But also gone are the days of eating like a bird and obsessing over the way my body looks in a bikini. I may be a bit more curvy, but I’m choosing to be happier than ever. For me, it’s been a choice worth making.
To more of Lee Price’s work, please visit her website.
