Why make a work about breasts? Because there are still important conversations to be had about breasts and the female body, and stereotypes to be broken down. 

The artist’s experience is that in Aotearoa New Zealand, women rarely show their breasts to anyone other than intimate partners, reinforcing widely held stereotypes of breasts having to be taught, round, perky, and blemish-free.

Stereotypes such as these and the further objectification and sexualization of women's bodies contributes in turn to lots of unacceptable stuff including sexual harassment, sexual violence and the fear and damage that many women carry with them constantly because of these threats.

In reality, the diversity in breasts is as wide as the stereotypes are narrow, and this is diversity that deserves attention and celebration. In short, we need to claim back our breasts - my breasts are mine, your breasts are yours, I have the right to do what I want with mine, and so do you with yours. 

The Bare Breasted Project invites viewers to challenge and change their perception of breasts by journeying through an extensive collection of photographs and stories of women's breasts and their relationship with them.

Viewers will come away having been encouraged to reflect on their own relationship with breasts and the importance of challenging ingrained stereotypes around the female body.