​​Mellissa Monsoon’s bold ceramic celebration of bodies was first showcased at Fourth Wall Folkestone (FWF) in 2026. Since this exhibition, Monsoon has joined forces with artist Sarah Lloyd (Director of FWF) to continue projects on activism in diet culture.

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The Joy of Fat was a powerful exhibition that celebrated body diversity, displaying artwork that challenged stigma. Running from the narrative of the 2024 exhibition Sense of Stigma, Monsoon’s shared her latest collection of ceramic works embracing and reclaiming the word “fat” as a joyful and unapologetic expression of self-love and acceptance.

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Through her distinctive ceramic artistry, Monsoon paid tribute to larger bodies, inviting audiences to reflect on the beauty of human form beyond conventional standards. The exhibition was an immersive, thought-provoking response to societal attitudes toward body image and diet culture, encouraging visitors to reconsider their perceptions and embrace inclusivity.

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Monsoon’s work is deeply rooted in the history of ceramics, drawing inspiration from ancient fertility figures and traditional sculptural forms that have long celebrated fuller bodies. At the same time, she addresses the ways in which body shaming has evolved throughout history, using clay as a medium to reclaim and challenge these narratives. By merging historical reverence with contemporary critique, Monsoon crafts a visual dialogue that honours and redefines representations of the body.

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“The word ‘fat’ has been weaponised for too long” 

 

“This exhibition is about taking back that word and celebrating all bodies as worthy, beautiful, and full of joy. Through clay, I am able to shape, honour, and uplift the forms that exist in the real world.”

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- Mellissa Monsoon

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