Esther Calixte-Bea is a 22 year old artist based in Montreal Canada, where she is currently studying painting and drawing at Concordia University. Her series Lavender, is a self-liberating photography project about body hair and femininity. In her self-portraits, the artist is wearing a dress and exposing her chest hair with elegance, to show that body hair can be classy and beautiful. On her instagram each image is followed by a poem or quote written by Esther.
“As a female artist, I felt that creating this project was important to bring awareness and to let society know that female body hair is normal and even beautiful. The dress I made is an illustration of my stuggle with my chest hair which I had kept as a secret for so long. I was afraid and always felt the need to hide it which made me feel like a prisoner. I wouldn’t wear anything with cleavage, would shave, wax and cut the hairs but it would naturally grow back thicker and stronger. With this project, I have decided to set myself free, accept myself as I am and inspire others to do the same.”
