Unit One-Is Narcissism important?

Orlan, a French artist, is known for her performance art using plastic surgery. In the 1990’s, Orlan had an ectopic pregnancy and conceived the idea of making her body into a work of art. Orlan was on the operating table 9 times, to transform herself into her representation of art. She undergoes the surgeries to work on the concept of “self image” stating “ I tried surgery not to better myself or to become a younger version of myself.” She had bumps placed on her forehead and are meant for eyebrows to look like Mona Lisa. Her overall influence of the surgeries was to look like women of the renaissance. Orlan received the most attention when she had undergone the surgeries.  Orlan stated “Narcissism is important” and what she means is to be a good artist you have to be a little narcissistic. I feel many artists have to know their abilities and express their selves in their artwork. In Orlan’s work you can see she is very narcissistic. Frida Kahlo presents herself in all of her pieces of art, but does that make her selfish? Not all artists have to be narcissistic. I find Orlan’s art concept interesting but not inspiring.