A PROVOCATIVE new exhibition by Liverpool-based photographer Stephanie de Leng is to open a brand new gallery space in the city later this week.

Body Landscapes opens The Gallery, on Stanhope Street, opposite the Cains Brewery Tap pub, on Friday, with a debate exploring the themes of the work.

It examines how the media, and practices such as airbrushing, have influenced the way people see themselves.

Ms de Leng examined this through inviting subjects to allow her to take realistic – some would say unforgiving – pictures of part of themselves they didn’t really like.

She said: “It is a reaction against the air-brushed images foisted upon us by the media at every turn – for many, this translates into a warped view of the real world.

“I asked people to confront their deepest insecurities by revealing to the camera the parts of themselves they struggle to like.

“Instead of trying to cover up and beautify, I have approached this project from the viewpoint of a landscape photographer, striving to reveal as much detail and definition as possible.

“Some of these images will provoke a strong response, and yet others will make you wonder what the problem is.”

The exhibition also includes graphic photographs of plastic surgery procedures, as well as pictures Ms de Leng modelled for professionally in the past and how they would be air-brushed today.

Body Landscapes can be seen at The Gallery from October 30 to November 20, and is part of a rolling project for the artist.

It is preceded on Thursday with a public debate, titled “body image and the media and how it affects our daily lives”, hosted by Roger Philips, at the Victoria Gallery and Museum, starting at 5pm.