Fat Body Work: Somatics, Curiosity, Care and Practice

Colourful cover with title, subtitle and author text. Central image of a fat person dancing whilst wearing a large cardboard box over her body, legs sticking out of the bottom, little socks on her feet. Everything has a neon glow. Quote from Scottee: “Another corker form one of the greatest” — Fat Body Work: Somatics, Curiosity, Care and Practice by Charlotte Cooper

Fat Body Work concerns the things I have learned from moving my body. The book invites you into a rich, deeply personal and politically charged exploration of movement across the life course. Body work as the creative or political project of fat people is a tale rarely told.

Drawing on anti-oppressive values, Fat Studies, queer ethics and creative practice, Fat Body Work traces the shifting realities of fatphobia, ageing and care. It blends experimental and embodied research, critical reflection, short essays, archival writings, drawings and poetry.

This book is a necessary resource for anyone interested in the complexities of movement, liberation, healing and joy.

People who might particularly enjoy Fat Body Work:

Fat liberationists, people looking for work that validates their lived experience and offers alternative and intersectional narratives of body work
Scholars in sociology, psychology, and cultural studies researching embodiment, somatics, intersectionality, identity and creative research methodology
Professionals including psychotherapists working with clients dealing with fatphobia, body image issues, trauma, and oppression; somatic workers; dance educators; Health At Every Size practitioners
Performers, dance workers, anyone with a body work practice

Read an excerpt (.pdf 3.8 mb)