Sophie Evans is a Meanjin/Brisbane-based artist whose work examines the intersection of feminism, identity and personal narrative, focusing on fragmentation, the body and mental health. Rooted in her experiences as a queer woman, Evans challenges society’s unceasing scrutiny of female and queer bodies, using painting as her medium to confront and reclaim these narratives.
In this exhibition, Evans explores the isolating experience of body dysmorphia, where perceived flaws – real or imagined – dominate self-perception. Those affected often fixate on their appearance, distancing themselves from their bodies and avoiding social interactions or photographs, which serve to capture and confront their physical reality at any given moment.
This exhibition reflects this deeply felt experience of body dysmorphia within female and queer communities, where intense societal pressure distorts one’s perception of their own body. “Media-driven ideals of the ‘perfect’ body shift constantly, shaping what is deemed acceptable. Personally, I have grappled with this throughout my life – regardless of my size or shape, I’ve struggled to find love in my reflection. This sentiment is echoed by the models I’ve painted.” Each work captures a moment of self-reclamation, resisting the gaze that confines the body to a fixed object. Instead, her paintings embrace the body as a fluid, ever-evolving expression of the self.
The exhibition creates a space where deeply personal experiences can be shared, fostering a sense of community and acceptance through our shared collective trauma. Each artwork reflects the openness of individuals who have shared their stories, revealing the complexities of body image, vulnerability and self-perception. The reference photos used for these works are over a year old, and while certain details, like tattoos, may be different, this reflects the core idea that the body is not a static object to be categorised or scrutinised. Instead, the body is an ever-changing, evolving vessel, impossible to fully capture through any singular, fixed moment.
Evans hopes that through this exhibition, you will begin to see your own body as more than an object for external gaze—a living, evolving expression of self, deserving of understanding, compassion and care.
