I have just put together my artist statement…I hope this makes sense…I’m going on very little sleep.

The Obesity Crisis Contained: The Venus of Willendorf Project

I am a fat feminist activist artist, and I am sick and tired of everyone including doctors and the multi-billion dollar diet industry itself going around saying that “Diet’s Don’t Work”…and in the same breath trying to put all of us on a diet.[1]

The purpose of my installation is show the viewer in a shocking and bold way how much money and time we put into this useless endeavor of dieting.  It is my thesis that it is not the fast food industry nor the Chinese All You Can Eat Buffet that are causing the so called “Obesity Crisis” but back lash from years of dieting, food restriction and disordered eating. My hope is that my project will inspire people to get rid of their diet books, accept themselves and others the way they are and help me bring down the diet industry.  Donate your diet books to my art, and my next project entitled “Diet World” A massive maze constructed completely of diet books that will follow the paths of different disordered eating patterns. My hopes is that this piece will travel the country educating the masses on the dangers of dieting and what real health looks like, I think you all will be surprised.

People come in all different shapes and sizes, not everyone who is fat is unhealthy and not everyone who is slender is healthy.  I think that it is high time that we accept diversity in shapes and sizes just as we have accepted diversity of color.  Eat more fruits and vegetables, go outside and play, and for g-d’s sake keep your eyes on your own plate! Health at Every Size!

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Brenda Oelbaum

https://fatfeministactivistartist.wordpress.com/