Exhibit shows that everyone’s beautiful, but nobody’s perfect

A 31-photograph exhibition featuring portraits of people from victimised groups alongside celebrities opens to the public today at the Vattanac Capital Tower.

C.nation photographic studio’s founder Sok Visalbrosit, also known Cheky, said the #iambeautiful exhibition was being run alongside a social media campaign to combat suicide, domestic abuse, depression and bullying by increasing people’s self-esteem.

The black and white images of disabled, LGBT and non-traditionally attractive people have been hung side by side with shots of singers Meas Soksophea and Laura Mam and artist Em Riem and others with stories of their own perceived flaws to show that no one is perfect. The exhibition is accompanied by a short motivational video.

“This campaign is our first time to run a photo exhibition to give voice to the voiceless – random people who are disappointed about their outward appearance – with stars, artists, people with disabilities, transgender people and so on,” said Cheky.

“Most people between the ages of 15 and 35 suffer bullying like verbal abuse at some point and lose confidence in themselves.

“I myself am an artist but I experienced bullying from people who told me I am black like buffalo and fat like a pig so I want people in this society to accept who they are,” he said.

Facebook users were being encouraged to tag photos of themselves with #iambeautiful and #c.nationstudio.

“We as a team try to encourage people to be content with who they are and change the culture of bullying others.”

And he hoped the campaign could help people understand and raise awareness of bullying.

“We don’t want to lose people because of continual bullying,” he said.

The #iambeautiful exhibition is on at the Vattanac Capital Tower on the ground floor until January 10.

 sourced:phnompenhpost.com