This desire for diverse approaches to “second skin” meant emotionally-charged, text-based pieces for some (John Giorno’s “I would crawl”), more material-reliant, sensory explorations for others (Mark Borthwick’s plant and flower-covered poem collage), and in the case of sculptor Sarah Lucus, a physically-imposing, almost comically erotic work featuring an underwear and stocking-outfitted pile of limbs and genitalia. Skin Deep makes space for Black creatives and creatives of colour to work towards justice through cultural production. I never thought it would actually happen, Sara. “And I looked for a big variety in the mediums and types of interpretations of the work as I worked with them.” Tattoo artist and aesthete Sara Kori on self expression and unexpected inspiration. “All of the artists are somewhat related to me-through working relationships, knowing them personally, or just through work that I’ve loved and integrated into my referencing and my love of the body,” explains Bartlett of the familiar group she assembled for Second Skin. In Stephanie Brown’s interactive, mixed media installation exhibit Do Not Bleach, which opened June 8th and will run through October 20th at the Appleton Museum, the photographer and interdisciplinary artist examines and encourages melanin positivity by using soaps, pictures in frames, vinyl photos, textiles, T-shirts.
Her latest endeavor, a group exhibition at her store and studio on Mercer Street and accompanying art book co-curated by INPUT’s Renee Vara, examines this theme of embracing body consciousness in medium-spanning form, with pieces by 15 well-known artists, including David Armstrong, Adam McEwen, Jack Pierson, taking on the topic. A trailblazing artist addresses the beauty of brown skin of every shade. After all, her CFDA-nominated RTW line VPL was originally founded with the desire to bridge the gap between lingerie and sportswear, employing nude tones, ample cut-outs and curve-hugging latex and jersey to draw attention to the subtle movements of the female figure. British designer Victoria Bartlett has never shied away from exploring the intricacies of the human body.