Rhianna Hogan-Cerro - Tessellate

How Do I Look?

Indulging in Imperfection to Change Your View

How Do I Look? examines the role of visual culture and design in creating the expectations society places on women. Mistakes and damage of the past are being repeated with selfies and social media. False displays of perfection are enabling impossible beauty standards to remain alive in perpetuity. Many of us are now turning the camera on ourselves, actively participating in keeping a focus on appearance and the body. As I researched, I began to feel that I was tricked into the performance of femininity. Graphic design didn’t create the obsession with beauty and perfection in our age, but it does aid companies that benefit from it. I began to feel a greater sense of responsibility in my job as a visual artist and communicator to push back against the flow of the expectations of my appearance and gender.

In a series of zines, I exhibit how I challenged societal standards by indulging in imperfection through art, design, and photography. I explored ways to alter my view of perfection, as a path to empowering others to ignore constructed ideals and to see more clearly that their power is not in their appearance. Working imperfectly improved my design practice, helped me see past false ideals, and also caused me to see beauty in a new way.

Self Reflection is an exploration of materials and methods with mirror-like qualities. I found power, hope, and joy in the creation and destruction of these pieces. Reflection about what is important to me and my research—and ultimately what I want to say led to an eclectic series of works that told me a lot about who I am beyond my appearance.

Self Absorbed is a collection of selfies that began as a reaction to the pressure of social media. I looked for other ways to represent and distort my appearance, to push back against societal standards I was no longer interested in being judged by.

Self Control showcases experiments in using tools that reinforce stereotypical gender roles in a way that they are not intended. Blowdryers, lipstick, mops and laundry become instruments for creative and imperfect work.

Self Indulgent is a photo essay of the ugly and imperfect situations I encountered over the last two years. With the right framing, even imperfection can enthrall.