Dimensions: object: 2200 x 480 x 480 mm
Copyright: © Matthew Monahan | CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED, Photo: Tate
Curator: Matthew Monahan's Untitled piece presents a fragmented body trapped within glass vitrines. It speaks volumes about the commodification and deconstruction of the human form, doesn't it? What are your initial thoughts? Editor: It's definitely unsettling! The fragmented figures displayed like artifacts make me think about power and representation. It reminds me of museum displays of colonized people. How does Monahan play with these themes? Curator: Precisely! Consider the historical context: museums have often objectified and controlled narratives around marginalized bodies. Monahan cleverly uses the vitrine, a symbol of institutional authority, to question these power dynamics. The fragmented forms also point towards identity as a fluid, constructed concept rather than a fixed entity. Editor: So, the work is not just about aesthetics, but a commentary on the politics of display? Curator: Absolutely! By presenting these fragmented bodies, Monahan invites us to critically examine how institutions and society shape our understanding of identity, power, and representation. It leaves us pondering the gaze and who holds the authority to define "the other". Editor: I see it now! It's a powerful statement about how we perceive and treat bodies, especially within institutional frameworks. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, understanding the artwork within its historical and social context truly enriches our interpretation.
Comments
Join the conversation
Join millions of artists and users on Artera today and experience the ultimate creative platform.
This large, vertically oriented sculpture by the American artist Matthew Monahan consists of three main sections, each containing one or more objects. In the lowest compartment is a large charcoal drawing of a woman’s face, which is squeezed into and fills the space. Above this, and separated from the drawing by a piece of glass, is another compartment containing three figurative sculptural objects: one consisting of a pair of legs and a lower abdomen, and alongside it two smaller, bust-like forms. These objects have been cast in wax and covered with a finely ground powder in a green hue. The smallest vitrine stands separate atop the display and encloses a hollow wax torso. Next to this are placed a wax head, also covered in a green powder, and a smaller head, which stands on three wooden sticks. These compartments and objects are displayed on a narrow plinth.
CollectMore like this
