The last couple of weeks have brought on some interesting developments in my project. Making art within the context of a collective is such a huge help in the creative process. Everyone brings new and thoughtful insights and advice every round of critique. It’s definitely one of my favorite parts of art making.
So, my concept remains the same, but the design has changed. I’ve gone from making multiple abstract pieces showcasing layers much like that of a tree to a very sexualized and representational installation; the centerpiece of which is a baked ham in the shape of a bum… yup, ass ham. I felt like my original concept, while excellent at its core meaning, was missing my normal teasing humor. I’ve definitely remedied that with this new design. The current thought is to show case a larger-than-life soft sculpture baked ham (shaped like an ass) with slices showing a variety of hand dyed fabrics, alluding to the many layers of food-related experience and that comprise a woman’s existence. I plan to primarily use food-based dyes and techniques (potato block printing, flour paste batik, etc), which all mostly come out as earth tones. From the sketch, you can see that the ham itself is served on a platter on a table. There will also be a plate ledge on the wall to display fabric ham slices on decorative plates. Multiple ways to view the work…to stare at baked ass ham, marvel at its unique layers, imagine how it would taste, and sneak a couple finger tips to touch the textiles.
