Artist Statement

Altered to Appeal is a beauty-focused diptych series that explores the emotional and physical transformation caused by cosmetic

procedures and the influence of social media on self-image. Through paired pre-and-post procedure portraits, the project

examines how modern beauty standards shape the way individuals perceive themselves and the lengths people may go to, to fit

within societal expectations.

Growing up in a generation consumed by social media, I have witnessed firsthand the pressure placed on young women to alter

themselves in pursuit of acceptance and validation. My own experiences with body image struggles and eating disorders deeply

influenced the conceptual foundation of this series, allowing me to understand how destructive comparison and unrealistic beauty

ideals can become. While cosmetic procedures are often empowering and confidence-building for many individuals, this project

instead examines the visual pressure to alter one’s appearance in pursuit of societal beauty standards.

Rather than discouraging cosmetic enhancement, Altered to Appeal explores how social media and modern beauty culture can

influence perceptions of identity, appearance, and self-worth. The series reflects the tension between natural beauty and the

growing desire for perfection, reminding viewers not to lose sight of themselves beneath the pursuit of alteration.

To visually express these concepts, I experimented with a variety of materials, including makeup, collodion, fake blood, medical

tape, bandages, and syringes, to create subtle transformations and enhance the narrative within the images. These elements

create subtle yet unsettling transformations that blur the line between beauty, discomfort, and artificial enhancement. Inspired by

Lauren Greenfield’s photographic series Generation Wealth, which documents the realities of cosmetic surgery culture and the

pursuit of perfection, I sought to capture not only transformation itself, but also the emotional and societal pressures that surround it.