FOLKESTONE.- This summer, acclaimed artist Mellissa Monsoon presents The Joy of Fat , a powerful exhibition at Fourth Wall Folkestone that celebrates body diversity and challenges stigma. Running throughout August 2025, Monsoon’s latest collection of ceramic works embraces and reclaims the word “fat” as a joyful and unapologetic expression of self-love and acceptance.

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

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 honors and redefines representations of the body.

“The word ‘fat’ has been weaponized for too long,” says Mellissa Monsoon. “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, honor, and uplift the forms that exist in the real world.”

The exhibition launches with a private view on Friday, 1st August 2025 6 - 8 pm , offering guests the first opportunity to experience Monsoon’s compelling work. Beyond the display of ceramic pieces, The Joy of Fat will feature a series of interactive workshops throughout the month, engaging the community in creative expression and discussions around body positivity and self-acceptance.

Mellissa Monsoon (1990) is a British artist based in Kent, whose interdisciplinary practice intertwines art and science to explore themes of nature, the human body, and invisible illnesses. Past works have involved using casts of her own body and the bacteria that live on it to visualise the invisible world on our skin. Recent exhibitions include 'Sense of Stigma', which featured ceramic pieces highlighting her experiences with seeking healthcare as a fat person.

Monsoon graduated in 2016 from the MA Art and Science course at Central Saint Martins and has since undertaken major commissions for The Eden Project and the BBC. 'The Joy Of Fat' is her latest project, supported by Arts Council England.