As part of Women’s History Month 2023, the San Diego Mesa College Art Gallery presents the exhibition Perceive Me, comprised of a series of portraits commissioned by plus-size artist Kristine Schomaker and envisioned as a protest and to challenge the notions of body size and body image as construed by society and the art world. This project started in Los Angeles – a city under the shadow of a Hollywood industry that has historically placed unrealistic expectations and constraints on the female body. Schomaker invited 60 artists to portray her larger-than-average form in the nude, in some cases following the art tradition of figure drawing. Shifting away from the hurtful trappings of body-shaming, the artists honor and celebrate Schomaker’s voluptuous form in a variety of paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures, video and a 3D print. This exhibit will allow our students and guests to engage in interesting conversations about body image and stereotypes of the “ideal” female figure.

San Diego Mesa College Art Gallery
7250 Mesa College Dr., FA 103
San Diego, CA 92111

March 13 – April 13, 2023
Reception: Thursday, March 16, 4-7pm, FA103
Artists Lecture on Zoom: Tuesday, April 4, 7:00pm
San Diego participating artists: Anna Stump, Catherine Ruane, Elizabeth Tobias, Debby and Larry Kline