American photographer Tracie William’s exhibition Beauty explores themes around self-perception, societal expectations and innocence. In this series Williams documents her younger sister’s involvement in the American beauty pageants where parents spend thousands of dollars on their young daughters’ clothing, make up and hair in the hope to win, and be crowned the most beautiful.
Of the series Williams said, “The common adage ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’ conveys the general understanding that beauty is subjective. Beauty – by this common definition – is not solely determined by physical attributes, but also by personal qualities that one possesses; both relying on individual perception”.
As a social documentarian, Williams said her intent is “to shape emotive, provocative essays that create awareness outside one’s self. Sometimes social justice fuels my motives, but ultimately the objective is for viewers to slow down, take a moment, and simply think”.
Williams is currently working on a new series documenting the impact and long-term recovery of the communities in the Rockaways, New York; one of the areas most devastated by Hurricane Sandy.
EXHIBITION
Beauty
Until 23 June 2013
The Muse Gallery
TAFE Ultimo
Harris Street
Ultimo Sydney
Australia
