Affecting one in 100 people, body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a condition where an individual spends an unusual period of time worrying about flaws of their appearance, flaws which go unnoticed by other people. It typically affects young adults and teenagers, and although the condition is far-reaching, those that suffer will often draw back from speaking about it publicly on account of a fear they can be shamed as self-obsessive or vain.

Identity is a latest exhibition that goals to challenge this stigma and begin an open conversation around it. Examining how our self-perceptions are shaped by experience, society and the media (in addition to its impact on mental health), the show will consider the importance of talking about these anxieties and the transformative power of self-expression.

“Art will be utilised in such a robust option to communicate your message immediately to an audience,” says curator, Gabrielle du Plooy. “I made a decision to curate this exhibition because it is such a hot topic right away, and we wanted to affix the conversation.”

“The definition of identity is who you’re, the best way you consider yourself, the best way you’re viewed by the world and the characteristics that outline you,” she continues. “This work is all about how we and society perceive our looks and our bodies.”

Displaying works from ten artists, Identity hopes to supply unique and ranging perspectives on body dysmorphia. Turkish artist Meltem Isik presents enlarged images of assorted body parts in front of the topic’s body. Exploring topics similar to body image and self-awareness, he says “the complexity that originates from the aptitude of our bodies to see and be seen concurrently provides the idea of the work that I construct using different viewpoints.”

The exhibition may even display work from Leigh de Vries, who draws on her personal experience of BDD to create prosthetic moulds. Her latest work sees Leigh with a big tumour weighing down a whole side of her face, unveiling the alarming way by which Leigh sees herself. Born with a lazy eye, even though it was corrected in 2014, Leigh suffered from a really unique and severe type of body dysmorphia. “My feelings of being different materialised in an obsession with my appearance, so the BDD really began in adolescence and slowly took its hold”, she told Dazed in 2015.

Other artists include Scarlet Isherwood, who uses resin to encase an actual lamb’s heart – representing rotting self-esteem. The center is surrounded by real butterflies and glitter – symbolising promoting, glamorising the necessity to change and transform. While Polish artist Bartosz Beda’s portraits and figurative works explore the connection between identity, day by day life and the human psyche.

The opens at Zebra One Gallery from 24-9 December, for more information, click here.