American Beauty
2024
oil on wood panel
14"h x 77"w
American Beauty is an oil painting on wood, composed of seven individual panels arranged horizontally to evoke the structure of a visible spectrum. Each panel highlights a beauty product tied to a specific part of the female body—such as eyes, nails, hair, lips, skin, and aging. Through this series, I examine and critique the persistent societal pressures that compel women to conform to unrealistic beauty standards across their lifespans. These ideals often become deeply embedded in cultural expectations and personal identity. I use vibrant color to draw the viewer in—inviting them closer, only to confront the deeper message beneath the surface allure.
All images copyright Margaret Murphy, 2000 - 2025