Appropriation

The projections onto my body developed into the appropriation of media imagery. When the image appears on the skin the effect totally changes. The dark shadows around the figure in the projection seem to create a more eerie atmosphere, showing the darker side to the media’s glamorous imagery. I found using figures or body parts such as lips and eyes worked well as they evoke a compassionate response. Although this response is ironically drawn from the image and not the real person it is projected onto!!!! The idea from this is to try projecting previous works onto my body, blurring the boundaries of reality….

The images appearing on the back of a figure seems strange as it is not a part of the body normally associated with desire, which the images are trying to evoke. It makes the back seem more sensuous almost. The back turned towards the viewer also shows a sense of vulnerability, as the flesh is exposed to this projection.

Marilyn Minter

I am particularly interested in the work of Marilyn Minter. Her practice involves taking the techniques of the media to extreme lengths in order to highlight her work. The glamorous ideal is transformed into something quite repulsive, but when appearing on a billboard in New York, it takes a second glance from the viewer to establish this! Minter, in this piece titled “Shit Kicker”, literally shows the media putting its foot down and stomping on the reality of everyday life, forcing the gritty reality into the viewers face in comparison with the glamorous media images.

Skin Sketches

The logical development of past drawings showing a bombardment of images, was to create them on skin so that the content of the image was reflected upon the surface where it is drawn. Incorporating my body into my work in ths way has become a key factor in current works using projection.

The projections are very striking as the images seem imbedded onto my skin rather then dawn on, as in previous experiments. The light also gives the skin a strange and almost confrontational element as I place my body in the spotlight.

Basic Overview

My work is under pinned by the influence of the mass media of the magazine. The magazines hold a great amount of power which has a huge impact on people’s lives, especially when it is added to how other types of mass media also influence and bombard us. The underlying issue is one of power. Because this issue is present in everyday life I believe it to be very relevant within today’s society. My work addresses this theme from a multitude of angles and with a whole range of techniques.

Past work examples

(including painting, computer manipulation, screen print, sculpture and installation)