70×90 cm, oil on canvas
Beach Body was inspired by a visit to Big Major Cay, a small island in the Exumas known for its unique inhabitants— pigs who live freely and peacefully in a tropical paradise, fed by visitors and caretakers. They spend their days sunbathing and swimming, completely unconcerned with how they look or what others might think of them. Watching them, I felt an unexpected sense of envy. There was something beautiful and liberating in their total lack of self-consciousness. They were entirely at home in their bodies— without judgment, comparison, or shame.
The painting reflects on themes of body image, freedom, and self-acceptance. As someone who doesn't conform to conventional ideals of body size, this work is a self-critique— imbued with humor and empathy. It's not about mockery or self-deprecation; it's about acknowledging the struggle to accept oneself in a world that constantly imposes narrow definitions of beauty. At the same time, it speaks to the importance of self-care and self-awareness: loving your body can also mean taking responsibility for it, especially when health is at stake.