curatorial rationale
“But it is possible to look at these artworks as pure erotica.”
~ Natalia LL
During the creation of Exaggeration of Human Beauty, I had in mind the words of Natalia LL who was brought to my attention at first, when starting my comparative study. When I wasexploring different ways in which sensuality can be represented by food, I started thinking about how human body can be interpreted in so many different ways. I thought about temporary beauty standards, how they are portrayed in media and which parts of the body are praisedin particular. My ideas immediately went in a slightly different direction, when I considered my own body, its imperfections, flaws. The works created are inspired by what I, during my childhood and early adolescence, depicted as the perfect body image. They are a representation of the realisation I have come to within years of the unhealthiness of this portrayal of beauty. Within this exhibition, I want to share my own shame, traumas, and unhealthy expectations that I’ve had about my body my entire life. I am using exaggerated pictures to rip the works off their symbolism, making them uncomfortable to look at. The idea of using exaggeration as one of the main motives of the exhibition was inspired by my interest in drag culture; as drag is a form of satire focused on ridiculing significance of gender roles, and beauty standards in the society by dressing up as exaggerated versions of one gender.
In my exhibition, I combined the techniques that were new to me with these I have been familiar with to be able to fully convey the message. The 18’’ is the only piece made with oil paints, asit allowed to emphasise the colours, layers and strength of the press, The Unnoticeable and leg, were painted with acrylics to ensure the ability of mixing colours and putting many layerson but getting more matt versions of colours. Clay in PRN allowed for the sculpture to have vibrant colours, and texture that highlights the message. Alcohol ink in marker for The One and Only ensured that the work made with only one line would be visible from a distance and with the size of an artwork being this big. Gouache used for Nails let this piece have such vibrant colours combined with light brush strokes. For A Dream, being created with watercolours, allowed it to fully represent dreamy structure with its fluidity and unclearness. Drag Queen: Pocket Edition is a still-life piece where a pencil was used to connect to more classical form of still-life sketches.
Exaggeration of Human Beauty is presented in a form of a dark pathway so that the viewer can walk through different ‘stages’ of the exhibition with each step, extent of exaggeration gradually increasing. Works created, are also sorted out from these that seem the least weird to these which make a viewer most uncomfortable. With each artwork I want to increase the exaggeration, making the perception of the exhibition become more and more drastic. My goal is to have an impact on viewer’s senses, not only on sight but on hearing and touch as well.I want the recipient to hear in their head increasing scream of desperation which comes from the artworks. Desperation of a person whose main goal in life is achieving, what they consider, ‘a beautiful body’, when they learn that their goal is unreachable. Exaggeration of Human Beauty is supposed to make the viewers reflect on their feelings towards their own bodies and their own beauty standards that are set inside them.
What do you believe ‘beauty’ is?
