17-Year Old Artist Tackles Acid Attacks and Body Shaming through Illustrations

17-year-old Kaanchi Chopra wanted to create medicine which could heal the bruises and marks of survivors of acid attacks. She was told it was scientifically impossible, but she still genuinely wanted to do something for the unsung “sheroes and heroes,” as she tells us. She uses her artwork to change the minds of how people view those who have survived acid attacks and body shaming. ”I decided to use my art as a medium to reach out to them and salute their strength. Body shaming is arguably the most widespread kind of bullying. I have seen people on various social media platforms, in my school and in my locality being criticised for what they believe makes them beautiful. It is honestly high time that we change those preconceived notions of beauty and wellness. I made these illustrations in support of people who’re insulted for their appearance and to encourage them to take pride in the way they look,” said Chopra.

Her first experience with painting about social issues was in the 5th grade, when she attended an impromptu inter-school painting competition. “We were given 3 topics - a favourite sport, landscape scenery and killing of the girl child. I observed people around me blending various shades of blue and purple to paint the ideal sky and fellow students erasing the well-drawn human figures just because one of the eyelashes was too long or the jawline wasn’t structured enough. I sat there in between all of them and pondered the third topic. So I drew this huge necklace of white shiny pearls, and in center on the biggest pearl, I drew a face of a crying young girl with 2 ponytails. Over her head I placed this heavy sword and made some blood drops originate from the same position. Then I wrote, ‘like a necklace is adorned with pearls, a family is adorned with girls. Do not commit this sin, do not kill girls.’ Then again in 7th grade I had to draw on poverty in India, this was 2011 and almost an year before that, the new Indian rupee sign was designed by Udaya Kumar. Inspired by the same, I drew this large super symbol covering the entire page and I showed the helpless poor people on the foot of the symbol, while the middle-class were crushed between the two lines of the symbol depicting the extent of exploitation. At the same time, the rich were drawn over the top line of the symbol portraying their leisurely and barrier-free life. Back in 9th grade, with the use of more than 130 adjectives, I made this women empowerment poster. It reads ‘She is the creator of the world. It’s time to give her back what she gives to us - life,’” she explains.

Chopra feels that the worst result of body shaming is that it takes away the confidence of a person and crushes their self-esteem. “It makes them feel insecure and unsure about themselves. It makes them believe that their intellect and talents and abilities stand no chance in front of their looks. I’ve observed that people develop eating disorders after being ridiculed and it effects their health in countless ways. I haven’t been ashamed of what I look like nor have I ever been made fun of, but I am surrounded by people who have been,” she adds.

“Friends who are skinny are repeatedly asked to eat something or told that they are incapable of lifting. Friends who are fat have been told to exercise and control their eating habits. And of course, the media and magazines are a constant reminder that you can never be perfect. That you can never be happy. They pull you down and make you doubt yourself.”

Chopra makes sure that every illustration or drawing has some meaning and message linked to these ideas - they need to drive social change and awareness. Her creative process involves a burning issue she wants to voice her opinion on. She starts off with making rough sketches and keeps adding or improvising. She also conducts research and collects statistics to depict the extent of the issue and why it must come to an end. She encourages people to share their real life experiences so that her readers are motivated to move forward in their lives. The illustrations take almost a week to make and use any medium - doodling, pencil colour shading, painting, digital art. “I always keep in mind is that I try my best to create unique stuff, stuff or ideas that other people haven’t used, that’s what intrigues the reader and that’s what makes my work exciting and challenging,” said Chopra whose blog is now read in over 30 countries. She adds, “There have been times when I receive messages from people of different nations about how inspiring the works are. But sadly, there hasn’t been much talking until now. I hope there will be in near future.”