Deirdre McIntosh

Scars Will Fade

This self portrait speaks to my perception of my body as a young woman living with congenital heart disease. Throughout my life I have gone through numerous surgeries, and my many scars have become one of my biggest insecurities. This piece explores the tension between beauty and disgust that characterizes my relationship with my body that has been through so much. The chunks of fleshy fabric have been loosely stitched together to create folds and bulbous areas that spill out from the frame. The resulting chaotic, sickly-colored mess of fabric reflects how I feel about my own body while also displaying the beauty of the natural folds of the substrate that create a unique and delicate shape.