Gretchen Andrew's 'Universal Beauty' Exhibition Exposes Dark Side of Digital Facetuning in New York
Published on 6.9.25
Gretchen Andrew's "Universal Beauty" exhibition at a prominent gallery in New York is sparking conversations about the societal implications of digital facetuning. This technology, which allows users to edit their facial features, has become increasingly popular on social media platforms.
The exhibition features portraits of individuals with altered facial features, highlighting the unrealistic beauty standards perpetuated by facetuning. For instance, a portrait of a woman with an impossibly smooth complexion and angular cheekbones is juxtaposed with one of a person with a more natural appearance. This contrast underscores the ways in which digital editing can distort our perception of beauty.
Andrew's work also touches on the issue of body dysmorphia, a mental health condition characterized by a preoccupation with perceived flaws in one's appearance. By presenting these altered portraits as "beautiful," Andrew is challenging the notion that digital editing is a harmless form of self-expression.
The exhibition has garnered attention from art critics and mental health professionals alike, who see it as a timely intervention in the conversation around digital beauty standards. As one critic noted, "Andrew's work is not just about aesthetics; it's about the ways in which technology can shape our self-perception."