About

Born and raised in New York City, CJ Shapiro is a visual artist and psychotherapist working in private practice. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 1983.  She then went on to earn a Masters in Fine Arts in 1984 from the School of Visual Arts – New York, a Masters in Social Work in 2005 from NYU, and a Postgraduate Therapy Degree specializing in Eating Disorders in 2008. Shapiro is also a co-founder of Endangered Bodies, a global non-profit organization whose mission is to promote body-positive images and messages to challenge toxic beauty culture and industries that profit from unrealistic body and beauty standards.

As a member of the LGBTQIA community, an outspoken feminist, a Jewish woman who has experienced discrimination and antisemitism, and a psychotherapist, her work highlights the social conditions that undermine individual agency. Through use of bold paint on oversized canvas, Shapiro’s work exposes my outrage. Her work reveals the emotional impact of the undermining of individuals’ rights, and their ability to live empowered lives. Grappling with issues of violence against women and children, sexual abuse, sexuality, race, gender and “femininity/masculinity”, she confronts deeply embedded social beliefs and values. Shapiro’s paintings viscerally expose the impact of, and adaptation to, a society that denies its own exclusion, oppression, and exploitation.

Dedicated to challenging racism, misogyny and sexism in her painting and therapy practice, Shapiro focuses on identifying and understanding the societal conditions that undermine people’s agency, freedom and choice.  Her paintings, both psychological and political, explore the consequences of denied humanity and grapple with the experiences of race, gender and sexuality; physical and sexual abuse; agency and identity; objectification and sexualization.