sam.daw.ood
‘It’s a Bit of a Catch 22’
“In terms of body image it’s a bit of a catch 22. If you’re not sharing your nude body or showing skin, people aren’t as interested in talking about it. But you also have the double edged sword of Instagram not wanting you to post if you’re in a larger body or a Black body. It’s tricky.”
- @bodiposipoet
It’s a Bit of a Catch 22 is reflective of artist @faithringgold’s work, ‘Jo Baker’s Birthday’ 1993. The textile piece is made of acrylic on canvas with tie-dyed and printed fabric and could otherwise be considered a painted quilt. This informed the decision to pay homage to her work as a Black woman and artist referencing a medium that has historically been seen as craft and therefore ‘women’s work’, not fine art, an historically male discipline.
This series includes sculpture, traditionally seen as ‘male’, showcasing the skills necessary to produce such work in the same vein as male artists. The artists juxtapose the softness of our subjects’ bodies with the hardness of Jesmonite, the casting medium.
The blanket draped over Jade is commonly found in domestic settings and denotes comfort. She is lying on a bed in a resting and contemplative pose. The soft fleece from the Algorithmic Justice League contains their activist intentions focussing on raising awareness about the impacts of AI.
Jade is depicted in the safe space of a bedroom. They allow us to enter into their space to witness them simply existing. We see mirrors in the background within the series as a way to subvert the male gaze and take back control. The subjects decide when and how they are reflected; engaging without vanity but with self-love and care.
#Uncovered#DisagreeWithDecision #AnActofProtest
MODEL: @bodiposipoet A PROJECT BY ARTIST: @sam.daw.ood BODY CASTING ARTIST: @lydiareeves_artist PHOTOGRAPHER: @jrcmccord CONSULTANCY SUPPORT: @naomi.native ART ASSISTANTS: @[email protected]@b3bik777 EXHIBITION CURATOR: @genevieveyap_
Supported using public funding by Arts Council England @aceagrams
Supported by gal-dem x Hennessy: The Very Special Fund @galdemzine@hennessy