In a world where the consumer is King, or very much Queen, the nature of Capitalism and its social traits are often commented on and critiqued within the visual arts. On one side of the coin advertising utilises visual rhetoric to sell ‘desirable’ products and on the other side creative work visualises and reveals the effects. As advertisers cast their visual spells on accepting audiences, attractive aesthetics and intelligent ideas can inspire, but also cause contradiction.
Elizabeth Restroom is a successful photographer that produces visually delightful work that delivers a deeper message about consumer habits and culture. The idea that desirable beauty suggests prosperity, good health and success, is portrayed by appealing to the senses, while delivering a darker message about the effects on the consumer. The work presents the notion of the visual spectacle, which is explored in Dawn Wooley’s book Consuming the Body:
“The spectacle is disciplinary, because it produces the expectation that the consumers should be glamorous and seductive and that buying the correct commodities will enable this.”
As a result the seductive appeal of the imagery contrasts with the messaging, that sells a very different lifestyle, despite the fact that the two are very much sold in a complimentary manner.
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