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Design

How the practice of breast ironing is portrayed and expressed in art, photography, and literature

(Pare, 2015)

(Pare, 2015)

(Pare, 2015)

Photography of Gildas ParE

Plastic Dream

     The victims of breast ironing are portrayed in the work of French photographer Gildas Pare. Pare wanted to portray a feminine issue in his work, and was surprised at the lack of documentation of breast ironing practices. He traveled to Cameroon and photographed several victims of breast ironing, young girls and women alike (Bidan, 2015). Pare wanted to capture the humanity in the victims of breast ironing by having them pose topless, which was very difficult for him to get them to agree to. Pare stated that photographing the victims while clothed would not have the same impact (Bidan, 2015).

     The topless images of the women convey the physical deformity and portray physical pain while also displaying the emotional pain and psychological trauma felt by the women through their facial expressions. Pare entitled this work "Plastic Dream" because of the desperate desire of these victims to receive plastic surgery to correct their breast deformities. (Bidan, 2015). Pare's work with the women allowed him to learn that these women are hiding their bodies and long for surgical alterations so they can feel proud of their bodies (Bidan, 2015). Pare’s collection includes images of women who have been victims, and images of young girls with banded chests. The numerous photos capture the raw emotion of the victim’s face with the physical damage done to their body.

(Pare, 2015)

(Pare, 2015)

"'Every morning, before going to school, my mom makes me lift up my top so she can make sure I haven't taken my bandage off. It's been two years now and she still checks it on a daily basis. It's humiliating. I'd like her to stop. When I grow up, I want to be a lawyer or play piano. I hope that wearing this bandage will help me to continue my education.' –Cindy, 14 years old." -(Bidan, 2015)

(Pare, 2015)

(Pare, 2015)

"'My breasts finally began to grow when I was 18 years old. Before that, boys weren't attracted to my body. I felt really bad about it. My grandmother began destroying my breast when I was 12 years old. I would try to run away from her every morning but she'd catch me. Other kids were going to school and I was being massaged with a hot rock. She did it twice a day for a year. Having breasts is natural, it's human. When I didn't have them, I felt like a boy.' –Agnès, 32 years old." - (Bidan, 2015)

(Pare, 2015)

(Pare, 2015)

To learn more about Gildas Pare's journey to capture these images, the stories and narratives behind the photos, and to view the full Plastic Dream collection, visit VICE.com by clicking the link.

OtheR Design Elements

Art

This artist's depiction of breast ironing displays the horror of a young girl when subjected to the painful practice (Blogspot, n.d.).

Advertising

This image is an advertisement that was created to display a woman's beauty and bring awareness to the practice of breast ironing. This powerful advertisement portrays a woman who believes herself to be confident in her body as is, breasts and all. This image is a powerful message to young girls, who when subjected to breast ironing may become frustrated with their breasts or believe that breasts are undesired. (Penn State, n.d.).

Infographic

This infographic displays the goals and principles of the United Nations to improve women's equality in business. The information is relevant to the breast ironing issue because the practice of breast ironing is influenced by gender inequality. Promoting gender equality in Cameroon and other countries who practice breast ironing may reduce its use and can educate the next generation of women about the negative outcomes of breast ironing on a woman's self-esteem and confidence. (UNIFEM, n.d.).

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