Emma Foster: Objectified
Objectified by Centenary sophomore Emma Foster opened our rotating exhibit space for the 2022-23 school year. Ten untitled graphite drawings featuring female figures turned away from the viewer depict a variety of clothing and hairstyles. The works represent how people—specifically women—can be seen merely as an assemblage of superficial qualities instead of as whole human beings.
What was the inspiration behind your exhibition?
Visually, I wanted to have a series of drawings that were very physically similar to each other, but still different enough that they could be easily separated or identified. So, when I was actually drawing, I was thinking of different ways that I could accomplish that (different hair, clothes, race/ethnicity). I didn’t have a clear vision of what I wanted in the beginning, I was sort of figuring it out as a went along, but towards the end I started to get clearer ideas of what message I wanted the exhibition to have. When it comes to my art, I’m a very visual person, so my thoughts tend to mostly focus on how something will look as opposed to the meaning behind it; that tends to come later.
What piece is your favorite? Why?
If I’m being honest, the one with the long hair and the saree. I’m not sure why, but she was just very fun to draw, and I’m really satisfied with how she came out.
As people view Objectified, what message do you hope stays with them?
I really liked the idea of highlighting how commodified beauty/people have become (mostly through social media) and how desensitized people have become to that. The women in my drawings are all different but are posed in such a homogonous way. It reminds me of how you can see all these women on social media who are marketed in a singular way. Though they may have different hair or clothes or brands, you still see the same body types or Eurocentric facial features. It makes all these diverse people seem identical, like products on an aisle in a store. I hope people can recognize this and feel uncomfortable by it when they view Objectified.
Through this process, what skills have you learned/developed that will help you throughout the rest of your time at Centenary?
Technically, I got a lot of practice drawing hair, so that was very nice! But on a more serious note, I got a better understanding of what it’s like to have an exhibition and work with a museum. I’m not sure if it’s something I’ll be doing much in my life, but it was a very enriching experience. I think it’ll help me better appreciate museums, as well as other artists.
Objectified is on display at the Meadows Museum from August 29 - September 23, 2022.