OPEning night
FOR behind the figures saturday 19 September
Saturday, 19 September 2026
5:30PM - 8:00PM
31 Wood Street
Behind the Figures is an exhibiton that brings together new work from eight local artists, made in response to years of body image research — what 100+ women told us, in their own words, about their bodies, their confidence, and the moments they've missed because of how they felt about how they looked. Come and see what they made of it.
We'll have grazing boxes available to purchase on the night from The Deli Nook | Plattered Up, made for sharing while you take in the exhibition. If you'd like one set aside for you, register your interest and we'll follow up before the night to confirm.
Individual grazing box — $15 (plenty for one)
Sharing box — $50 (serves approximately 2–4 people)
This is an expression of interest, not a payment or a firm booking — platters are ordered and paid for on the night. Let us know if you have any dietary requirements (vegetarian, gluten free) when you register, and we'll do our best to accommodate them. Register by Monday 14, September so we can order the right amount.
BEHIND THE FIGURES EXHIBITION - SEPTEMBER 2026
The Just Saying Project invites visual artists to respond to original body image research for Behind the Figures — a selling exhibition marking JSP's tenth anniversary of community exhibitions.
100 women shared their experiences of body image in a survey conducted by the project. The findings reveal a complex, often contradictory relationship with embodiment — shaped early by culture, intensified by media, and most softened by function, safety, and connection rather than appearance.
We warmly encourage submissions from First Nations artists and artists from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Experiences of body image are shaped by culture, history, and community, and we seek work that reflects this breadth.
THE RESEARCH
-
65% of participants have avoided a life event, photograph, or opportunity because of how they felt about their appearance — including weddings, professional opportunities, photographs, and intimacy.
35.9% have never told themselves “I am beautiful”.
The average body confidence score was 5.37 out of 10 — a community almost split down the middle.
Body shame was most first felt between ages 6 and 13, triggered by family comments, peer teasing, puberty, and media imagery.
-
Only 1 in 13 women feel that women in media genuinely reflect real women’s bodies and stories.
54% feel pressure from social media and advertising to look a certain way.
Participants described beauty standards as cyclical and contradictory — the trends change but the pressure stays.
-
74.4% feel empowered by what their body has done (rather than how it looks) — referencing childbirth, illness recovery, physical endurance, and simply continuing through difficulty.
When asked what their most beautiful quality would be if beauty were not about appearance, participants named: kindness, empathy, presence, authenticity, compassion, energy, and resilience.
68% experience body positivity as complicated or demanding— the desire is not for celebration, but for permission to feel neutral, human, and inconsistent.