Pain(ty)
Wooden sculpture w/ nylon fabric & white acrylic paint
2’ x 16” x 8”
(10’ tall fully suspended)
2024
Continuing the experimentation with concealment... This piece displays what it is like to hide and conceal your insecurities and areas of dysphoria. A basket inspired by lace panties was made to hold and hide the wooden “tumbleweed” or unwanted bush. The lace panty-inspired basket is representational of the masking and feminization that occurs to try and pass and be accepted by society whereas the “tumbleweed” is symbolic of all that one is ashamed of and tries to hide from all those that gaze upon them, the features of their self that makes them feel utterly wrong. One can never hide it all though. One’s insecurities will always slip out and be seen. That is why you can see aspects of the natural wood and only see glimpses of the “tumbleweed.” When in fact the “tumbleweed” is around 2 feet big. The white paint on the scalloped edge further pushes the lace imagery and femininity symbolism. The cascading fabric which gracefully and delicately holds the structure together further exemplifies the masking and enhancing one might do to themselves. The over-dramatic fabric that is battling for attention with the basket further enforces the idea that sometimes the masking one does is a smidge too much. It’s overpowering and begins to feel as if one is simply wearing a costume at times.
WorkCVContact