Hello,here's some of the #illustrations I did for #WonderWoman #Uncovered for #DCComics to dress the text. I like to draw #superheroes in everyday life situations.
“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
Hero entered the living room with a letter in hand. His two friends were reading a book in the oversized couch. He told them:
-I got an invite.
His friends didn't even look up as one of them asked:
-From whom?
-Villain.
That made them look up at him.
-Burn it. Villain will mind control you as soon as he gets his hands on you.
Hero had always grappled with this. On one hand, he had an unreasonable urge to see Villain always. There was something irresistible about them, something that intrigued him, that he needed to uncover. They became an obsession. But he didn't know if this was forcefully put in his brain or if it was his own thoughts.
Villain scared him and interested him for this reason. Once they could touch someone, they had unlimited access to their brain. It was a terrifying idea, especially to Hero, he cared deeply about his mind. But there was more than that.
The invitation was handwritten with care, so much care it no doubt was the hundredth letter written that way. Why go through so much effort then? Why take the risk of being unmasked by the one person who has asked to be assigned to uncover any truth he could find about them? By the one person who somehow enjoys doing just that?
Hero had to come. Just to see, just to understand.
———
Despite what his friends told him - something about the dangers of being so close to a controlling Villain who had already taken a liking to him - Hero decided to go anyway. His friends knew they couldn't fight against him so they accompanied him instead.
-If you need our help, you call us. Yes?
Hero's eyes were already trained on Villain's elegant suit and charming smile. They were perfect in their role of host, the people were laughing. What did they say?
Hero's head was cupped by his friend's hands and he was forced to look back in front of him.
-Hero! Did you hear us?
Hero dismissed his friend
-Yes, yes. I need to know what they want.
One of his friends sighed.
-Alright. Have fun.
Hero took it as his signal to leave his friends. It was strange how he had eyes only for Villain. But they were so…different. They had a mask, like anyone else, such a beautiful mask but what was beneath it? Hero wanted to know, to tear it away and see.
He wasn't obsessed with Villain's facade but with who Villain could be. Who were they without their power? Without the fear that comes with being close to them? Ever since he caught a glimpse of a crack in their mask, he needed to know.
He approached Villain carefully, he couldn't get too close, just in case. Upon seeing Hero, Villain took their most beautiful smile and bowed elegantly, it wasn't too much, it wasn't too stiff, it was perfect, like it has been rehearsed to look as natural as possible.
And their voice was next, with enough enthusiasm without being too overbearing:
-There you are Hero! I have been waiting for you.
Hero nodded and cut to the chase with a serene tone:
-I understood that you wanted to see me. Your invitation was beautiful by the way.
-You flatter me, Hero. I indeed wanted to see you and…to talk to you, perhaps in a more…private setting.
The internal voices of his friends screamed to him not to go. But Villain already showed some kind of vulnerability in the way they talked. Whether this was done on purpose or not, Hero didn't know.
This was why he had to take this occasion to discover more about Villain. But what would happen once they would both be out of view? No, he couldn't let questions like that paralyse him. He needed to know, for himself, and surely it would be beneficial for later.
-I'll be right after you.
-It's right this way.
And Hero followed, as long as he physically steered clear of Villain, nothing bad could happen to him, not one of his thoughts would be altered. They were just going to talk, there was no harm in that.
They went away from the heat of the people, the conversations formed only a distant hum. Villain opened a door to a small room. They took off their mask and put it on a table nearby. Hero entered the dimly-lit room and was careful to take the long way around Villain.
-So, Hero. I heard you were interested in me.
There was no point in hiding it from Villain.
-I am. I had been for a little while now.
-Now's your chance to…do your research. It's about my powers is it?
Villain's voice had a bitter edge to it. Hero answered as steadily as possible:
-No. It's not. To be honest, I'm more interested in you.
A light illuminated Villain's eyes. Their smile seemed more genuine. They had the chance to do… something and they were about to take it.
-Then, don't worry. I've taken a few liberties tonight.
Their voice did a strange thing. It became quieter as if they didn't want anyone to know, as if they were unsure. It sounded almost nervous.
And one thought, irrational and completely off the table took a hold of Hero's mind. Were they about to wipe Hero's memories? Is that why their breath seemed to have caught in their throat? Something worse?
-What kind of liberties?
-About my powers. For you.
Villain walked closer to Hero. They were between the door and Hero. He knew he had no way of getting out without being touched. He backed down and kept his hands in front of him. Perhaps he should have listened to his friends. Villain explained in an almost hurried tone:
-I've been interested in you too. You are so clever, so unique, so special. Admirable.
Were they going to take a hold of Hero and brainwash him? Take him for themselves? No, it couldn't be. They would have operated differently in this case, they would have opted for something less upfront, less sincere, less forgiving.
He kept his voice calm, as if he was just asking Villain to not misplace an item again:
-Please, Villain.
-I'm not going to hurt you. I promise, I would never do that to you.
Their voice grew more desperate. Hero was about to push Villain away when he caught a glance at a power suppressing bracelet on their wrist.
-I can see it now. Why… didn't you show it earlier?
-Why?
Villain sighed. Their smile was faltering.
-Do you really think you're the only one who's scared? You-other heroes came with you. They accompanied you.
Their smile was shaky, as shaky as their regal facade, as shaky as their cracking voice.
-I would be alone if I were to fight against them. One of them is faster than I would ever be.
Hero's eyes went to the bracelet again. Faster than Villain would be if they needed to get rid of it. It wasn't Villain's style to take that much risks, they were one to control everything, including their enemies. Even their allies when push came to shove.
-I needed to know if you were interested in my powers or if there was truly something more-
Everything became evident, as if a veil had been lifted.
-You love me.
-Yes. I do.
They stared at each other in silence. Hero could truly see Villain now. Their breath was short. Their hands were slightly trembling. They had chosen a silver bracelet to go with their aesthetic.
Hero reached out for Villain, they tensed. He took one of their hand, then the other. It felt like he was truly touching them for the first time, without fear, calm, serene. Villain observed, powerless and vulnerable.
It didn't feel right either.
-Hero…is something wrong? I-
-Hush.
The room fell silent again. It truly didn't feel right.
Hero put his hands around Villain's wrist, the one with the silver bracelet. He heard Villain's breath catch in their throat. They looked at each other, then Villain averted their eyes. Hero took the power suppressor away.
Villain smiled although their eyes didn't follow.
-It cost me a little fortune.
If Hero didn't know any better he would have thought Villain wanted it back around their wrist. Knowing Villain, it was just a sentence thrown to feel like they still had a say in the matter, one way or the other.
Hero took their hand again and traced their palm with his finger.
-I don't want you to wear that. I don't want any of us to feel scared, to feel vulnerable. That's what you want too, is it?
-Yes…I…yes.
Hero hugged Villain. At any moment, Villain could take a hold of him. Yet, it didn't feel like a trap that would close in on him. It was relaxing not to feel in danger. Hero whispered in their ear:
-You're relieved too, aren't you?
Villain hesitated.
-Yes, I am.
Hero rested his head on Villain's shoulder, he closed his eyes. Villain was trembling slightly in his embrace. He could feel water on his shoulder, like a drop of rain had fallen there.
He couldn't help but whisper:
-You've never been hugged like this, have you?
A tremble shook Villain. This was his answer.
It felt strange to have Villain like that, with their heart uncovered and their soul bared. Perhaps, they always could control the minds but not the hearts…
They were both defenceless, both at each other's mercy.
A sound escaped Villain, halfway through a fearful whimper and a relieved sigh. As tiny as it was, it shook them to their core once more. Hero rubbed their back, slowly letting the warmth of his hand seep into their skin.
Hero whispered into the shell of Villain's ear:
-I love you.
Villain shakily brought their hands up to cover their face. They pleaded:
-Don't look at me.
-I didn't look, and I'm not looking.
Hero rested his head back on Villain's shoulder.
-I love you Villain.
Villain sobbed. He could tell they were trying to make it as unnoticeable as possible but their breath said it all. Hero brought Villain even closer. They talked with a small and panicked voice:
-I don't know what is happening. It's supposed to feel good. Nothing's working-
Hero put a finger on Villain's lips and their next words died before they even crossed their lips.
-Everything's working. You're just touch-starved and it has been a long time since someone trusted you. Has it?
Villain didn't answer, their very breath seemed to be stuck in their throat.
Hero rocked Villain back and forth:
-Breathe Villain. Breathe.
Villain took in a sharp trembling inhale. They didn't try to control their shaking body anymore. They held onto Hero with all their might.
And it made Hero feel so powerful. He saw Villain for what they were, a scared little soul who decided to shield themselves behind the double-edged sword of control and manipulation.
But this makeshift shield laid broken in front of him now, and Villain were just that, a little soul, his little soul. Villain had never killed anyone, they had just amassed power like they would do with the rarest flowers. It was another thing they couldn't hide behind when they were in Hero's arms.
Hero hummed and mused:
-My little soul.
Villain asked with a tiny voice, raw from all the emotions they had felt:
-What?
Hero pulled back yet he kept his hands on their shoulders, he wasn't about to let go now after all. He could see two eyes behind fingers and strands of hair. He asked softly:
-May I call you that?
-Little…
They sounded unsure, as if they were scared they didn't hear correctly.
-Little soul. My little soul.
Tears threatened to spill again. They averted their eyes.
-I don't know.
They hesitated before answering, another tear fell down their eye. Their voice was raspy.
-Yes.
It made Hero smile. He moved an arm around Villain's waist and wrapped the other around Villain's shoulders. Their hands fell slowly, revealing their face, revealing the tracks of their tears. They kept their hands clasped just under their chin. He had them were he has always fantasised to have them. He rocked them softly.
He rested his forehead against theirs. They closed their eyes, and it made a warm feeling expand in his chest. He didn't think when he laid a chaste kiss on Villain's lips.
Villain opened their eyes and looked at Hero with such a lost gaze. Hero chuckled, he kept his little soul closer. He whispered to them:
-Don't worry, you'll have plenty of other kisses. And you'll be able to tell me what you want. I just couldn't help it this time.
Villain traced their finger on their lower lip. The ghost of a smile graced their lips. They looked more at peace already. They nodded:
-Of course.
They stayed like that for a little while, enjoying each other's company. Villain's hands were warm on his cheeks and he loved the way they rested their head against his palm. He loved how they let him wipe their tears away. He always kept an arm around their back, he didn't want to let go yet.
He said softly, like a matter of fact without bursting the sweet bubble around their world:
-Let's stay like this for a little while. Then we'll see people again, they must wonder where we are.
