Author, band team up to promote healthy body self-image

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Caleb King

Updated: November 10, 2011 4:57PM

When local Christian rock band Daniel’s Window partnered with Moody Publishers author Jena Morrow of Crest Hill and formed The Hollow Project, the band’s bassist, Caleb King, 34 of Joliet, decided the ministry needed a visual component.

That’s because The Hollow Project combines Morrow’s powerful story of recovery from anorexia with original music from Daniel’s Window’s to deliver a message of life in Christ to those suffering from low self-esteem and distorted body image.

So King created The Hollow Exhibition, an art event themed around the issues of self-image, depression, insecurity, anorexia and the journey toward healing. King then invited other Chicago-area artists to create works that explored those topics, positively or negatively, but in a way that was personal to them.

King believes many people, starting in junior high school, struggle with their conception of the “Cool Factor” and use it as a lifelong measuring stick when making comparisons with their peers.

“It’s important that artists are able to speak about this,” King said. “I think music touches one end of the spectrum and talking about the book touches another, but visually, people can be confronted in a way the other two can’t touch.”

For instance, one of King’s pieces depicts a woman with long flowing hair, but who is also covered in drips of paint, symbolizing the fading of beauty over time, which, King said, happens to everyone.

“And that’s OK,” King said. “Life is supposed to be that way. People don’t need to artificially make themselves beautiful. They don’t need cosmetic surgery. The way they’re supposed to look is perfectly fine.”

Eighteen other artists will also display their works at The Hollow Exhibit, which King calls “the strongest showing of art,” he’s seen since graduating from the American Academy of Art in Chicago with a bachelor degree in illustration.

King personally knows every artist in the show and, with few exceptions, all presented artwork is for sale. Because The Hollow Exhibition’s message of self-esteem and healthy body image is so vital for a society suffering from lack of both, the show will be offered annually. King is also planning to publish a book with the images from this year’s exhibition.

“We want to continue our message of hope long past the show,” King said. “It’s all about empowering.”