Crisis Collage

Sophie Goudman-Peachey (born 1994) is a London-based fine artist who uses practices of mixed media, college and painting to explore narratives surrounding the human existence, with specific investigation into the impact and influence the digital age has on representations of women. The work touches on our sensitivities and vulnerabilities as well as forming an empowering confidence in those who see it. Using imagery from resources that our present within our daily lives, she reflects on how they impact our mental health as well as the image of ourselves we feel we have to project. Sources largely come from Instagram, fashion publications and film. These are all spaces where an alternate reality is created and yet, our main source of how we see ourselves and each other. Creating expectations the everyday person has of their image and encouraging an ever critical personal reflection, the digital era has enabled a constant access to unfiltered opinions on identity and body image. Online communities have been established through social media to create spaces which allow women to have open conversations, encourage body positivity and redefine the perception of women. These platforms express a diversity of opinions and stories, and grow the outreach of socio-political conversations. More specifically to intersectional feminism, Instagram has led to the expansion of a variety of positive female imagery. Leading many women to discard the traditional oppressive ideologies of the female body and sexuality. Drawing on her own digital experience, she discusses topics surrounding intersectional feminism, society, mental health and the parameters of our increasingly tech-based/online culture. The digital collages are a chaotic combination of imagery creating psychedelic, imagined, alternate realities with empowered women at the forefront. These represent the unconscious mind, as well as the experience of mental health episodes. Interpreting the world around us through the premeditated concept of capitalist society, a dominant force of rigidity in these preexisting socio-political constructs. These narratives are layered with an alternative representation of people seen popularly in the media, and express the reality of the spectrum of emotions. The paintings are deconstructed in contrast, to allow the viewer to reimagine their own space and narrative.