Sophie bares all for degree show
16 June 2008
When Sophie Harwin displayed her work at Southampton Solent University's degree show (June 13 – June 19) she was prepared for a few intakes of breath.
The BA (Hons) final-year Graphic Design student had produced a lifesize photograph of a middle-aged couple, posed demurely in an armchair, with not a stitch between them.
Across the corridor of the Millais Building, the University's fashion, design and photography students were showing stylized shots of glossy young women swathed in fantastical fabrics. The irony was not lost on 21-year-old Sophie.
"Just a few feet away it was all about the clothes – and the bodies were conventionally beautiful. It must have been quite a shock to come face to face with my black-and-white photo of an overweight, middle aged nude woman and her equally naked partner," said Sophie, from Teddington.
Sophie's final-year degree project – displayed as part of the BA (Hons) Graphic Design degree show – was an exploration of sexuality and nudity in Britain today.
It was inspired by the Kinsey Reports on human sexual behavior, and ongoing rhetoric about changing attitudes.
"I wanted to look at whether sexual behaviour was really any different from my parents' generation – and I wanted to demonstrate my findings through my final-year degree project," said Sophie.
Sophie initially talked to other students about sexual behaviour and attitudes. "I began to think that the only real thing that had changed was an increased willingness to talk about the subject – and that led me on to explore attitudes about nudity," said Sophie.
Sophie began to explore naturism, and with the blessing of various naturist clubs, took her camera to designated clubs and beaches.
"I was a little nervous about the first shoot, but thankfully it was far too cold for stripping off. By the time I hit Studland beach, Dorset, on a hot, sunny day I had done a fair bit of work on the subject and I wasn't a bit embarrassed."
"It's been interesting to look at nudity in a way that is such an antithesis to the images that my age group is exposed to, and though I could see how liberating naturism could be, I've not been converted," said Sophie.
Southampton Solent University lecturer in Design, Nick Long, added:
"Sophie's project reviewed our rather conservative attitudes towards nudity and naturism. Her photography was both arresting and thought provoking."
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