A friendly reader recently pointed out an interesting site to me. It’s called VoluptuArt. I think their mission can best be expressed by this quote from the site about how they choose the pieces they sell:
We look for art & gifts that portray bodies of all sizes, shapes, ethnicities, ages & genders that “embody” a sense of aliveness through joy, contemplation, quiet movement, love, connection, sensuality, sexiness, self-love…. We’ve also chosen images of nature, animals & spirital symbology that represent curves & fullness. You’ll find full, round animals that bring forth a smile or a giggle, and spiritual symbology that encourges you to take a breath – to remember what is important in your life, and to be grateful for all that works in your life, including your amazing body.
Okay, it’s a little wordy and fuzzy around the edges, but the attitude is great. What’s more, the site is full of gift items, both practical and whimsically decorative that do celebrate a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and ethnicities, as well as both sexes. From Venus of Willendorf ink stamps, to Love Your Body tee shirts, to glittery pink scales that don’t read the numbers, but tell you you weigh ‘perfect’ or ‘sassy,’ to sculpures of beautiful, bountiful women of varying ethnicities, to mugs and towel hooks and bookmarks with positive images of large women of all ages, there are plenty of fun, practical, and attractive items to make you smile.
I think the attitude of the site is best summed up by artist Judie Bomberger’s image which is used as the logo for the site. If this lovely, curvy lady dancing in her red dress makes you smile, then go see what else is in store for you on this site.
I love this new addition to the Manolosphere. So I confess that I had to rub my eyes when I saw an ad for Juvederm on the right side of the page. A Juvederm ad on a website that is supposed to encourage body acceptance? I know that ads bring home the bacon, but let’s be real. If we’re encouraging body acceptance in terms of size and shape, shouldn’t we encourage it in terms of age as well? To do otherwise is terribly disingenuous.
Comment by K — September 22, 2007 @ 2:16 pm
My honest reaction to this?
If that woman in red in the illustration now counts as fat enough to represent an entire website devoted to fat-positive art, then this culture is officially broken.
Comment by loretta — September 23, 2007 @ 6:41 am