In having Laura Aguilar be presented to us this past week opened the floor for conversations around self-love, all-bodies love, and more so awareness on disabilities. It was moving to hear the sort of empowerment that Laura would receive in her photography projects. Her having to deal with health and self-esteem issues growing up she talked about finally being able to find comfort in her skin once she modeled alongside nature. Her story having touched on the theme of bullying was also relatable since I myself have also grown up with bullying. With her positionality as a mixed race Chicana, lesbian, and of size it's crucial that work be circulated and shown to provide positive depictions of such identities. Society doesn't do this sort of work but rather artists that are brave like Aguilar do so.
Her photography piece in the woods was one of my favorites. This piece not only opened means of having comfort in Aguilar's body but also had a huge aspect of bravery in opening herself up to her friends. I find that there's power in nudity but moreso a means of becoming vulnerable to those around you and with Laura not only doing so outdoors in nature she also does it with friends. The moment of intimacy, support, and collective strength is highlighted in this piece and I really admire it.
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