Julia Kozerski is a senior Photography major at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD). This self-portrait series, Half, ‘is a communication of physical and emotional experience after losing 160 pounds’.
This is Kozerski’s statement:
We all have at least one attribute about ourselves that causes us to be self conscious; something that causes us to feel as if we are not ‘normal’. For myself and countless others, our weight is a constant source of such insecurity. By the time I had reached the age of 25, I tipped the scales at 338 pounds. With a body mass index (BMI) of 49.9 percent, literally half of my body consisted of fat, and I was classified as ‘morbidly obese’. Throughout childhood and adolescence, my weight led me through spells of depression caused by associated physical and emotional issues. For so long, I wished nothing more than to physically be someone other than myself believing that doing so would make me happier.
In December 2009 I decided to take charge of my life and embarked upon my own self-directed, healthy-living journey. Through calorie counting, focus on nutrition, portion control, and increased exercise, my efforts have resulted in a loss of over 160 pounds. While I genuinely believed that my hard work and dedication would transform me into that ‘perfect’ person of my dreams, the reality of what has resulted is quite the opposite. My experience contradicts what the media tends to portray. While it is easy to celebrate and appreciate the dramatic physical results of such an endeavor, underneath the layers of clothing and behind closed doors, quite a different reality exists.
These photographs are self-portraits. They serve as reflections of my experience and address and explore my physically and emotionally painful, private struggles with food, obsession, self-control, and self-image. These brutally honest images serve to shed light on the truth of what it is like for me to live life as Half of myself.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
This is easily the bravest set of self portraits I have ever had the pleasure of viewing.
i concur with the OP. these are some of the most honest self portraits i’ve seen.
I was in reasonably good shape most of my life & extremely great shape for a good part oft life. 17 years ago I became quite ill and as a result of that and the medications I was forced to take, I gained over 100 pounds.
Your story and bravery touched me deeply. I applaud you for baring your body and soul to share the truth that those who are struggling with being overweight are dealing with. It’s not just aesthetics, it’s emotional, it’s the social isolation and it’s the affect on ones health as well.
You are an amazing woman and an inspiration to me, and I am sure so many others Although I have lost well over the 100 pounds I gained, and due to illness am now actually slightly under weight, I’m still dealing with body image problems stemming from when I was overweight. I wonder if those feelings ever go away? While I don’t know the answer, you most certainly are helping countless women overcome their issues with their weight issues and body images.
God bless you and keep up the great work. Beauty IS truly on the inside; but it feels pretty good when you look good on on the outside also.
I can’t even BEGIN to say how much your photos moved me. Thank you for this.
You are an inspiration to me. I am “just 75 pounds” over weight. I can so identify with how you feel. I hate for my husband or even my own self to see my naked. I started weight watchers for the millionth time in January and did well until about a week ago. I just felt like giving up. After reading your website and seeing your pictures, it renews my faith in myself. I know that I can do it. Thank you for being brave and letting the rest of us see in ourselves that we CAN do it and we are pretty wonderful people. Good luck with everything.