In her first solo show in 2016, Callaghan created an exhibition titled Aspirational, in which she attempts to dismantle the dangers of buying into social media's manipulation of inspirational quotes most notably seen on Instagram. These quotes, which are meant to inspire and motivate viewers, are reproduced so often that they lose their initial meanings. They are also used by brands or companies as a way to get personal with their clients and try to resell their own identities to them. Although quotes like these were originally a way to encourage all who see them to be themselves and make the most of their lives, society still holds women to rigid standards, trapping them in an vicious cycle of hope and despair.
 |
| ‘Yoga is not about touching your toes, it’s what you learn on the way down.’ by Laura Callaghan, from her solo show at KK Outlet in London called "Aspirational." This image pokes fun at the trends on social media, renaming popular brands that have associated themselves with marketing lifestyles to their audiences. This particular illustration includes "Droll Prudes" and "Cheat, Flay, Shove" as parodies of "Whole Foods" and "Eat, Pray, Love," respectively, both of which have been used for aspirations to healthy eating and self discovery. |
Although her illustrations seem to have specific messages at a first glance, Callaghan believes different perspectives are also an important factor when it comes to viewing art. In an interview with the British style magazine Dazed, when asked what she wanted people to take away from "Aspirational," she replied,
"Whatever they want! The work isn’t intended to bludgeon people over the head with a message, it can be as lighthearted or serious as you wish. To quote a famous Instagram philosopher – “The glass is not half empty or half full. It's refillable.”"
Another well known aspect of her work that can be seen on most- if not all- of the women, is a look of disinterest, contrasting well with the colors and patterns on display. This further asserts how powerful women are and can be, even when they are doing ordinary things. Callaghan also makes sure that there is a fair amount of diversity in her work, as she also told Dazed that she wishes for her art to be "relatable and accessible," because the stories she portrays in her work do not apply to any one woman. While she does indeed have messages in her work, she also leaves them open to interpretation, all while making her audience aware of the power that women can and do possess.
 |
| 'Mythophobia' by Laura Callaghan. Also seen in her work is a great attention to detail, as she brings awareness to the difficulties that come with choosing what to believe in the mainstream media. Neighboring magazines seem to contradict each other; for example, one of the papers hanging in the center of the stand reads "It's All Going Great!" while the paper to its left claims, "It's All Fucked." Additionally, Callaghan uses parodies once again to name the various magazines for sale. Some notable ones include Hell (Elle Magazine), Slime (TIME Magazine), and Vague (Vogue). |
Citations:
https://www.lauracallaghanillustration.com
https://www.dazeddigital.com/artsandculture/article/31153/1/the-artist-calling-bs-on-your-motivational-instagram-feeds
https://www.wonderlandmagazine.com/2016/05/31/laura-callaghan-aspirational/
No comments:
Post a Comment