Writing the Body

In our daily lives, we’re flooded with images and ideas of how our bodies should or shouldn’t be. Many of us struggle with self-acceptance, and when our bodies deviate from what’s considered ‘normal’, we often also struggle with the attitudes of others.

Carly Findlay and Lee Kofman are both authors of new memoirs that examine how our bodies shape who we become, and what it’s like to look different.

Findlay lives with a rare skin condition, ichthyosis; in Say Hello, she provides an honest, thought-provoking account of her daily life, and a manifesto on disability and appearance diversity. Kofman underwent several major operations as a child – for a defective heart, and after a bus accident – which left her with a collection of scars. Imperfect describes how her markings have influenced her life and pushed her to question prevailing beauty myths.

Together, they’ll reflect on their writing about their own bodies, the space between body and self, and the challenges of representation and self-acceptance in a world that’s often skin deep.

This event will be Auslan interpreted.

Readings will be our bookseller for this event.