The concept of women as objects to be merely gazed at was criticized in many of Cindy Sherman’s works. Inspired by her critique I illustrated this concept in my piece, "The Male Gaze." In this piece, I visually analyzed how women altered their bodies into the ideal hourglass shape seeking men’s approval. This strive for “beauty” can have adverse effects. Extreme corseting used during the Victorian era, cinched waistlines into wasp waists (a waistline that is or is close to hand span). Deforming the waistline line however can misplace vital organs and even endanger a woman’s life, or a man’s if he were to use one extensively. During this time, women craved for the ideal bodily image in order to attract a man for marriage and financial support. Both in and outside of marriage, women were to remain innocent and completely unaware of their own sexual desires. The wilting orchids at the top of the hourglass embody the concept of suppressing natural sexual desires and the slow withering away of life.
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