Diversitile (2023) by Eri Maeda

With ‘Diversitile’ Eri Maeda elegantly showcases varied female forms to create a poignant critique of societal beauty ideals - encouraging women to look at themselves in a new light, and inviting the viewer to think about how women perceive themselves and are perceived, in the context of societal norms. With each tile representing the bust of a differently shaped woman, Maeda cleverly plays with the idea of the perfect body, whilst also exploring the breast’s position as a fundamental symbol of womanhood - whether for trans women who may desire them, trans men for whom they may feel foreign, for those who wish theirs were larger or smaller, for those who may have undergone mastectomies. As well as highlighting the complexities of identity, and celebrating difference, the artist reminds us that we are all part of a community - unique individuals who are stronger when connected and supporting of each other, just like the tiles in her work.

Curator’s comment: I love the way Eri uses the breast, a part of the body inextricably linked with womanhood, to question the very notion of femininity being dependent on particular physical attributes. By presenting breasts of different shapes and sizes, some altered or removed because of life-saving surgery, she cleverly highlights and celebrates physical diversity. By representing different female forms as interconnected tiles, she also reminds us that we are part of a wider community, and stronger together.

Features:
FAD Magazine ARTPIL. STIR Marie Claire