By Renee Wood
A new exhibit called My Body’s Story has opened at The Memo in Healesville, sharing 13 local women and their journey reconnecting with their bodies to inspire positive body image and connection.
Body image consultant and breathwork practitioner Louise Wigg and body empowerment teacher and video artist Cat McKay led the project which was supported by the Yarra Ranges Council and Eating Disorders Victoria.
Ms Wigg said the participants joined workshops to learn why listening to your body’s needs is important and how to do so with compassion and trust.
“Sadly increasingly across genders, poor body image is becoming more common and I think when we’re not in a state of feeling great love for our bodies, we generally disconnect,” Ms Wigg said.
“We tend to trust weight loss diets and boot camps instead of actually listening to our bodies and how we want to eat and how we would like to move.”
The women involved learned how to celebrate their uniqueness and further captured themselves and the journey with help from photographer Suzanne Phoenix and videographer Lauren Hutchinson.
Portraits and videos are included in the exhibition, while a magazine has also been created as another element produced by Ms McKay.
“Part of the process was for them to come back into connection with their bodies, and the journey they’ve shared with their bodies, coming to a place of celebrating that journey and sharing their stories.”
It’s hoped the exhibition will promote the message further and inspire others to grow positive self and body esteem.
“It’s important as a community that we shift the narrative so rather than talking about ‘obesity prevention’, we shift that focus back to health promotion and self care for all bodies.
“If we can change our language and some of our attitudes as a whole society, that’s going to really help people of all shapes and sizes to feel really great about themselves.”
Ms Wigg said she has been working with Ms McKay since 2018 on similar workshops but wanted to share this idea on a greater stage after struggling to find content which focussed on a wide range of body types.
“If we remove the focus of weight away, we can create environments where body diversity is celebrated and everyone feels equally welcome.”
Projects Advisory group member and EDVOS Program Manager Brianna Myors said it’s a remarkable project which provides a safe and supportive environment to reflect on our own body’s stories.
“Too often women feel disconnected from their bodies for so many reasons. For centuries, we’ve been told to look or act a certain way, and this has disrupted our ability to talk to ourselves in a way that shows kindness and compassion,” Ms Myors said.
“This project provides women with the opportunity to change that narrative and celebrate all of the incredible things our bodies can do for us. I’m incredibly proud of the work undertaken by Louise Wigg and Cat McKay. ”
My Body’s Story is showing at The Memo Gallery until May 1st.
