Stephanie Doty

My work is inspired by experiences from my own life and deals with issues of everyday life as a woman, wife, mother and daughter. Often times these issues feature mundane domestic found objects, materials or images, which have personal meaning. The objects and materials are loaded with content from a previous history that is also crucial to the content of the work.This series of work deals with the idea of body image in relation to gender differences and how society has impressed upon us the ideals in which we should conform to. This series addresses a variety of “alterations” that we undergo to conform to these ideals.Working with fabric and what traditionally was associated as “woman’s work” such as embroidery, sewing and appliqué, I choose to embrace these techniques to emphasize and pay homage to those women in history who were overlooked in these areas. The sewing patterns that I use reinforce the idea of conformity expected by society, by following the pattern, only I use them to emphasize difference and individuality.I am also interested in the idea of identity and remembering. Many of the “alterations” that we make may be by choice, but may also be for survival, either psychologically or physically. As we age, mature, change into individuals, and lose loved ones, the importance of staying true to oneself remains paramount.

MFA Indiana State University 1994 BFA Indiana State University 1991 AA Art Institute of Atlanta, Atlanta GA 1979

Herron School of Art and Design 2006-Present IMA, Indianapolis Museum of Art, 2006 – PresentI DADA 2010 – Present