Body image reflected through a mirror
Body image is a social issue facing the nation. According to nyc.gov, more than 80 percent of 10-year-olds are afraid of being fat.
Elon senior, Colby Meagle, is fighting that statistic one mirror at a time. Meagle’s senior thesis is about portraying how body image is affected by media outlets through art.
“I have personal experience, you know, struggling with the way I look and wanting to fit in, but then not wanting to,” Meagle said.
And this project has helped Meagle have a more positive outlook on herself. She has to look into mirrors every time she paints and see herself on good days and bad.
“It has kind of made me more confident because I can get my ideas out and use it as an outlet,” Meagle said.
It has shown her that these paintings on the mirrors are just a snapshot of who she is at that moment rather than who she is entirely. Meagle hopes that her thesis can do the same for others.
“I don’t want them to change their behaviors or be like this is so bad this is awful but more just to like think about things and realize that these influences do exist,” Meagle said.
For Meagle, this is just the beginning. She is in the creativity and idea stage. She is thinking about adding other people into the mirrors beside herself. Also, critiques from peers and teachers actually has her rethinking her mirror idea by using other, less reflective surfaces.
“I’ve been experimenting with different metals and stuff like that that have some reflection but then its distorted which is even stronger,” Meagle said.
So whether it’s mirrors or metals, Meagle likes the idea of reflections. Once she has solidified her idea she plans to paint something every day.
“It’s finding a way to dial it back and make it a little more subtle,” Meagle said.
Meagle will have the rest of the year to complete her thesis, but and even though her project might take on different forms her main focus, body image, will stay the same.
