Skin
Dimensions
Materials
T-shirt: cotton lace with gold embroidery; jacket: cotton lace; trousers: wool with leather pockets and lace overlay
Artist statement
‘Skin, a testament to time, is important to the stages of metamorphosis in an individual’s identity. I chose individuals that have had an impact on my life and requested that they send me close-up portraits of their skin. Portraits without description, untouched and unable to be connected to a body part so that there was no personal safety net needed. I then reconstructed them into lace structures.
An illustrative textile, lace has been worn to convey social hierarchy, inspire courtships and to eroticise the human form. It is also a principle witness to the evolution of society and culture. Now is a crucial time for lace, often thought of as a feminine fabric, to be drawn into a conversation about what characterises feminine and masculine identity. Rendering skin into lace clothing creates a discussion between the wearer and the garment. What does it mean to wear another’s skin?’
Skin
Maria Biehn
Dimensions
Materials
T-shirt: cotton lace with gold embroidery; jacket: cotton lace; trousers: wool with leather pockets and lace overlay
Artist statement
‘Skin, a testament to time, is important to the stages of metamorphosis in an individual’s identity. I chose individuals that have had an impact on my life and requested that they send me close-up portraits of their skin. Portraits without description, untouched and unable to be connected to a body part so that there was no personal safety net needed. I then reconstructed them into lace structures.
An illustrative textile, lace has been worn to convey social hierarchy, inspire courtships and to eroticise the human form. It is also a principle witness to the evolution of society and culture. Now is a crucial time for lace, often thought of as a feminine fabric, to be drawn into a conversation about what characterises feminine and masculine identity. Rendering skin into lace clothing creates a discussion between the wearer and the garment. What does it mean to wear another’s skin?’