We live in a culture where being fat is believed to be universally bad and something to be feared. This fat phobia is keeping many of us, regardless of our size waiting to be the after photo before we truly start to live our lives. Kelli Jean Drinkwater unravels the complex relationship we all have with body size and shows how radical body politics can be the antidote to body shaming culture.
Kelli Jean Drinkwater is a multi-disciplinary artist and activist recognized internationally for her creative practice and voice in radical body politics. Kelli Jean uses the fat body as a site to investigate the complex relationship we all have with our bodies and how that defines the world we live in.
Recurring themes in her work are notions of ‘taking up space’, queering fat embodiment and how this reclamation can transform and reimagine the potential of self and community. Her work is motivated by how these ideas intersect with gender, race, class and ability.
Her work has featured in major international galleries, festivals and magazines. Recent performances include Force Majeure’s Nothing to Lose for Sydney Festival 2015, NightCraft for MCA’s Artbar, Tableau Vivant for Underbelly Arts Festival, MonstaGras at The Red Rattler Theatre. Her directorial debut Aquaporko! won the Audience Award for Best Documentary at Mardi Gras Film Festival 2013.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx