Aim

To start constructive conversations around body image using the medium of collage, bringing creativity to introduce conversations about an important topic. This activity is written as a guide and can be used in a classroom/youth-work setting, with your friends/family or parts of it can be done as an individual.

Disclaimer: This activity can contribute to conversations on body image in which sensitive and triggering topics may be discussed. Please be mindful and respectful of people around you and the topics you are discussing. Everyone has an individual experience with this topic and we must remain mindful of this in order to create a safe and open space for all.

Description

This activity aims to spark conversations about body image by tapping into your creativity, using the medium of collage to get inspiration from images and words, rather than having to draw from personal experiences. This activity is split into two activities. The first is to be carried out as a whole group and second to be carried out in smaller groups, although you can also do it on your own if you want to. The first activity is using a word-based collage and the second can be through images and words. This approach is to take the pressure off individuals and introduce the topic without the group disclosing their personal relationship with body image, therefore establishing a safe space that allows for more comfortable open dialogue later on.

Resources

• Large sheets of paper
• Collage materials (magazines, newspaper, brochures, etc.)
• Pens
• Glue sticks or PVA glue
• Scissors
• Any other craft material, coloured paper, glitters, stickers and so on.

Guide

• Introduction: Share context and aims of the activity while distributing the materials.
• Collage 1: Body image in words: Using pages from a magazine or newspaper, find words you feel relate to body image. Cut these out and stick them to a piece of poster paper, creating a word cloud.
• Discussion: As a group discuss the word collage using the following questions as prompts if needed.
• Discussion questions
  • What words stand out the most?
  • What themes can you pull out?
  • What words are missing that you’d like to add?

• Collage 2: Challenging body image: Again using the collage materials this time using images and words. In smaller groups (or on your own) think about the question again ‘What is body image?’. Cut out pictures and words from the materials around this question (DO NOT STICK TO THE POSTER YET). Then as a group (or on your own) go through the materials again thinking of barriers people may face in relation to having ‘positive body image’. Finally decide as a group (or on your own) the direction and layout you would like your poster to be and get sticking!
• Discussion: For this discussion decide on a time limit and allow each group to present and explain their poster collages. Encourage others to ask questions to the group in relation to their posters, or to write down any questions about the wider topic of body image to discuss at the end as a big group.
• Finally display your art work for all to see! You could add some text bubbles around your posters that explain the concepts or questions to get others thinking.