For many women, the pressure to have the ‘right’ body can feel like a never-ending negotiation.
One day it is the hourglass figure – a tiny waist, fuller hips and breasts. Then the ideal changes, and suddenly another shape, size or feature becomes the one to chase. Social media, fashion and beauty culture can make these shifting standards feel less like trends and more like targets women are expected to meet.
For some, the pursuit comes at a steep cost, from expensive beauty treatments and unregulated medications to cosmetic surgery. But at a Nairobi art exhibition, the coveted hourglass figure is being explored in a very different way – on canvas.
For Sh140,000, one of the featured paintings allows a buyer to take home an artistic interpretation of the much-desired silhouette.
The piece is part of Curves in Colour, a joint exhibition featuring artists Ciru Ivy, Sylvia Oloo, Wayne Oloo, and Ian Ngethe.
The exhibition explores the relationship between beauty, body image, identity and the different ways people see and express the human form.
Body struggles
For Ciru, who has lived with her own struggles around body image, the exhibition is also an attempt to challenge the idea that there is only one acceptable way for a woman to look.
‘I went on holiday a while back and noticed many women in different shapes and sizes, so I wanted to celebrate them by doing their portraits,’ she says.
‘I love loud colours and I didn’t want to limit myself. So curves in colour fits my theme and style. I have been plus-size most of my life so I know some problems we face. I tried to portray the insecurities but also the acceptance of one’s body,’ she says.
Conversations around beauty standards, like the hourglass figure, tend to focus on women.
Which begs the question, why does society’s gaze remain so tightly fixed on the female form when discussing body image?
‘Women are beautiful and spend the most money on beauty products so I think that’s why we get that attention. I know I’m being a bit stereotypical when I say this,’ Ciru says.
‘The female form is the best image to be represented in my artwork. It has so many curves,’ adds Sylvia.
That price that Ciru talks about comes to about Sh140,000 for the hourglass.
‘It’s like an emotion that people tend to gravitate to, like happiness or pride,’ says Wayne.
The hourglass captures a woman’s back view on the terrace of an apartment of what would appear as Nairobi’s Westlands, overlooking the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.
‘The hourglass is a shape women have wanted since the 90s and I think this piece is kind of affirming. Anyone can aim for the body they want but trends keep changing and as soon as you achieve it another trend will come. It’s better to concentrate on health,’ says Ciru.
“Tabitha”, “Emiliy”, “Mwende”, “Nafula” and “Nyambura” were among the oil in canvas paintings going for between Sh18,000 to Sh50,000 at the exhibition.
“Nyambura’ portrays a woman in a bikini and shows the confidence a woman needs to wear what she wants. I showed the confidence rather than insecurities in the pieces,’ says Ciru.
Muscular and beautiful
She also challenges the idea that only a specific body size is beautiful. She shows a more muscular woman.
‘I have always thought I was huge when in fact I was average. In my adulthood I gained weight and have been trying to lose weight for health reasons,’ says Ciru.
‘I once went to a gym wearing an outfit that showed my tummy. I forgot to pack my T-shirt so I decided to just show my huge body. I felt so insecure doing yoga with my tummy all out.
‘I hope to inspire creatives and encourage them to portray real women. I hope they see that we all have different bodies. Opinions and trends change so just love your current body. Whatever your shape, don’t stop exercising because that is healthy.’
Sylvia and Wayne took a more abstract yet literal approach to Curves in Colours.
‘I wanted to focus on black women. Bringing in the aspect of beads and African fabrics and colour into my art pieces against the dark figures accentuates the presences of colour and its beauty against nature as a whole along with the human body,”says Sylvia.
‘I saw someone shed a tear when they saw my piece called ‘The Colour Tunnel.’ It is one of my best pieces, because many relate to it. Regardless of gender, anyone can see themselves in it,’ she added.
One of her pieces, “Outside My Window”, beautifully captures an Africa woman seated by the window but beyond it is a vast concrete jungle devoid of nature. It went for Sh55,000.
Wayne, Sylvia’s brother, chose to focus on the emotions behind body positivity.
‘If looking into the world regardless of image or colour can evoke sadness, nostalgia, hope, authenticity and more… then why shouldn’t our bodies?’ He poses.
Ian’s work explores the relationship between identity, movement, colour and self-expression.
‘Through my car paintings, I depict the automobile as more than a machine, it becomes a symbol of personality, aspiration, freedom and the different journeys we take through life,’ he says.
Appreciating imperfections
‘Bold colours, dramatic contrasts and expressive surfaces allow the cars to move beyond realism and become almost character-like. They represent energy, confidence and the freedom to be seen.’
‘For ‘Curves in Colour’, I was drawn to the idea of celebrating form beyond the human body. The curves, reflections and sculptural qualities of automobiles offered another way of exploring beauty and character through shape, colour and movement. Just as every person carries a unique presence, every vehicle can communicate a distinct sense of personality and identity.’
Ian says his paintings invite the viewer to look at everyday objects differently and to appreciate their imperfections and individuality.